Sal-2010-01

Helping Churches “Think Different�

Spotlight on British Columbia

The Heart of a Child

Salvationist The Voice of the Army

Building Up the Temple Should The Salvation Army invest in buildings or worship in schools and community centres?

Salvationist.ca I January 2010

LETTERS

Church Business Major Fred Ash argues that the church should be run less like a business and more like a family (J.C. & Co. Inc., November). I agree with him on all points except J.C. & Co. Inc. one. Down the W street may be a church that has dried up and died.

They believe in a doctrine such as ours. Should we not encourage the remaining few to join our congregation and take part in the fellowship?

Then we have two or three corps in a small geographic area. Should they be blended and share resources to be more effective in the community at large? Same family!

Major John Gerard ClarIoN CALL

Should the Church be run like a business?

by Major Fred aSh

hatever happened to the family of God? Somewhere in the consumer-driven craze that took over Western society in the mid-20th century, the Church morphed from a family into a business. And not just any business, but a big, international corporation, complete with expensive advertisements, million-dollar buildings and well-paid staff (some with annual salaries of more than $100,000). The family of God has become J.C. & Co. Inc. In The Salvation Army, we have only to look at our titles to realize how much this business mentality has taken over our organization.

Words like “office,” “executive,” “operations,” “secretary” and “director” are commonly used to describe positions within the Army. Even those shepherding positions in the local corps now carry the title of “director”—the director of pastoral care, the director of program, etc. There is nothing wrong with these words in themselves, but corporately (pun intended) they project a business model for what the Bible calls the family of God. And the vocabulary we use defines the way we think.

It’s what Marshall McLuhan described in the phrase, “the medium is the message.”

The chief concern of big business is the bottom line—profits. When services cost too much they are cut.

When buildings become too expensive to maintain they are sold. When products are no longer profitable they are discontinued. That’s good business. But it doesn’t make for a good family. We are shocked

when we hear of parents who abandon their children or even sell them because they can no longer afford to keep them. Yet church denominations, the Army included, have been known to abandon some communities and some of their “children” because they were no longer profitable. Thinking like big business results in ministry only to those who can afford it.

The business model has also engulfed the local church.

Have you noticed how much

local churches are beginning to look like big super-stores for Christian programs? The bigger the store, the more customers it will attract. And just like the big-box stores, the mega-churches don’t care about putting the smaller one-pastor churches out of business.

Those churches that succeed in attracting the highest numbers can boast that they are seeker-friendly. In reality, they are consumer-friendly

churches. They succeed in attracting the most consumers of Christian programs.

The more programs a church offers, the better chance it has at attracting the consumers of those programs. It’s a safe bet that wherever you see a church growing, there is another church in the same town dying, and that most newcomers to the growing church are from that dying church. The Church is not growing. Christians are merely switching brands.

Your church is struggling financially. It had to let its youth pastor go. Not a problem. The church across town just hired a new youth pastor and it also has a music pastor and a visitation pastor. Take your business there. You don’t like your church’s new management? Don’t worry. The church a few blocks over just hired a Bible-thumping, pewjumping, charismatic pastor who also happens to play a

mean guitar. Take your praises there (along with your weekly offering, of course).

It used to be that churches were family. And families stuck together through thick and thin. Sometimes they had their family problems, but they learned to work through them. The members sometimes hurt one another, but they also learned humility by asking forgiveness and they learned Christlikeness by forgiving hurts. Members of the church family not only laughed and learned together, they also cried and grew in their faith together. But with the consumer-driven church, this is unlikely to happen.

The one characteristic that identifies healthy families above all other institutions is commitment. Family members are loyal to each other.

Husbands and wives make vows to each other that include faithfulness and dedication.

These commitments keep them together in tough times so that over the years they see things through together.

This is the exact opposite of the consumer mentality that says, “I will stay in this church as long as I get what I want.

If you don’t have what I want, I will go somewhere else and get it.” It’s also the opposite of the denominational approach to ministry that cuts programs and congregations that don’t make a financial profit.

If we’re not careful, J.C. & Co. Inc. will go the way of GM and Chrysler. Oh, I think that’s the bailiff at the door!

Major Fred Ash is the corps officer at Burlington Community Church, ont.

22 I November 2009 I Salvationist

All too often we’re bombarded with a corporate mentality. We say we’re here for “others,” but often this is only when it doesn’t cost us anything or if we can get a government contract to cover the expense.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, some

may think) we now have a generation coming up that isn’t interested in our programs or what our church has to offer them.

They’re interested in authentic expressions of our faith and mistrust the denominational label. However, the Army is well positioned to attract this next generation because of our missional emphasis. If we can resist trying to be like other consumerdriven churches, we’ll have a better chance of reaching them for Christ.

Major Kathie Chiu

Voices Heard Just want to say how much I appreciated Major Jim Champ’s editorial (Missing in Action, November), reflecting on James Pedlar’s report on why young people Missing in Action leave the Army. W In particular, I’m really resonating with his final words: “Sometimes when we ask important questions, we don’t like the answers we receive. This may be a case in point. However, we did ask and this generation has spoken. Their

The Salvation Army London Citadel Band

The Chicago Staff Band lead by Bandmaster William Himes

March 20th & 21st, 2010 London Citadel

555 Springbank Drive

Tickets will be available at the door www.londoncitadelband.on.ca 2 I January 2010 I Salvationist

EDitoriAL

here have all the soldiers gone? I refer not to the antiwar protest song made popular in the 1960s by Peter, Paul and Mary, but rather to a major study undertaken

by James Pedlar on behalf of the Canada and Bermuda Territory (see pages 10-11).

Over the past two years, James has spent many hours conducting surveys, interviews and focus groups with young adults ages 16 to 35. Included were active Salvationists, former Salvationists and inactive Salvationists who may well describe themselves as being soldiers on the sidelines or checking out other church communities. One third of our corps and more than 500 individuals participated in the study. While its findings may not provide all of the answers to our questions, it does provide food for thought and perhaps a touch of indigestion. One thing is certain: This report should not be treated as fast food.

Perhaps the real question is why have all the soldiers gone? Now before you launch your own protest, the suggestion is not that all soldiers have left the fold, but it needs to be said that there have been sufficient declines in soldier rolls and Sunday worship attendances across the

territory in recent years to warrant concern and a major research project. If you attend your local corps on a regular basis and it is more than 10 years old, you know what I am talking about. In the past decade, we have witnessed a 15 percent decline in the number of soldiers and a 20 percent decline in attendance on Sundays throughout the territory.

So, what are the reasons for the decline among our young adult population? As one sifts through the data and reads the anecdotal comments of many of the participants in the study, one senses that there is no simple answer to our question.

The reasons are many and varied. They touch upon us as an organization and as individuals. They scrutinize our preaching and teaching, officer training programs, youth programs, system of governance and cultural distinctives, to name but a few. They challenge some of the things that many of us cherish.

No doubt there will be a tendency among the Army’s company of the committed to refute and rationalize what is being said by many of our youth and young adults. This editorial is not the place to debate or dispute the messages that are being given. The criticisms and comments offered do not make this generation less spiritual than their parents. It is heartening to hear of their identification with and commitment to the Army’s mission.

Their desire for authentic discipleship and meaningful relationships within the body of Christ is compelling.

Why have all the soldiers gone?

Sometimes when we ask important questions, we don’t like the answers we receive.

This may be a case in point. However, we did ask and this generation has spoken.

Their voices must be heard. We ignore or discount them at our peril.

It is heartening to hear of their identification with and commitment to the Army’s mission

Major jIM ChaMp Editor-in-Chief

To read James Pedlar’s report, visit Salvationist.ca/2009/territorialyoung-adult-research-project

4 I November 2009 I Salvationist

Salvationist

is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory Shaw Clifton General

Commissioner William W. Francis Territorial Commander Major Jim Champ Editor-in-Chief

Geoff Moulton Assistant Editor-in-Chief

John McAlister Senior Editor (416-467-3185)

Major Max Sturge Associate Editor (416-422-6116) Timothy Cheng Art Director

Pamela Richardson Production and Distribution Co-ordinator Major Brenda Critch, Ken Ramstead Captain Kim Walter Contributors

Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769.

Member, The Canadian Church Press. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, Today’s New International Version (TNIV) © 2001, 2005 International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

All rights reserved worldwide. All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory and can be reprinted only with written permission.

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Mission

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. Salvationist informs readers about the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda.

Salvationist.ca Facebook.com/salvationistmagazine Twitter.com/salvationist

voices must be heard. We ignore or discount them at our peril.”

What a bold statement! Hopefully these words will connect with those who have the power and influence to make structural decisions for resource allocation and can cast vision and chart directions for a way forward. The time is now.

Clint Houlbrook

Open Door Policy Right on … open our buildings to the whosoever (Destroyer of Myths, October). We did something similar in Green’s Harbour, N.L., a couple of years ago and it opened a lot more than just the front doors of the corps.

Destroyer of Myths It opened the doors to people’s M hearts.

We now have several community programs that have helped us connect with people who would never have walked into our building— or any other church building for that matter.

Captain Tony Brushett ClarIOn Call

debunking mistruths about church buildings, uniforms and army symbols

BY MajOr Fred aSh

ythbusters is a TV show that tests the truth behind urban myths and historical legends.

The hosts go to great lengths to determine whether the myths have any basis in fact.

They particularly like blowing things up, dropping dummies from great heights and crashing cars into various objects. There are a few Salvation Army myths that I would like to bust.

Myth #1: People from the general public will not enter a church building; you have to go to them.

Two years ago God sent to my office a representative from Alcoholics Anonymous who was looking for a room to hold a meeting for his group. At the time, most of the rooms in our church sat empty for most of the week. Although we had the traditional band, songsters, YP band, singing company and home league, these groups occupied only a fraction of the church space and time on the calendar.

So our ministry board said yes to the AA group.

The AA group found our facility and church members very user-friendly. They told other groups about us and soon we had another AA group and then another and another. Word spread. Al-anon, the support group for families of alcoholics, came in. Then Gamblers Anonymous.

Then Narcotics Anonymous. Then Eating Disorders Anonymous. In between these groups, the Burlington Amateur Radio Club set up camp in our building. This group works with The Salvation Army in times of disaster. A small private school came our way in September, and we are working with a local elementary school to organize an after-school homework club.

18 I October 2009 I Salvationist

In our ministry board, we refer to this as our bridge-building ministry. We don’t preach. We don’t proselytize. We simply reach out a hand of friendship and support. We place literature around the hall in key areas, and thank God every time we have to replenish the supply. We meet strangers in our building with a smile and a sincere greeting. We are there to address their concerns.

We don’t preach.

We don’t proselytize.

We simply reach out a hand of friendship

and support

Does it pay off? About four months ago, one AA member died by suicide after experiencing a personal tragedy she could not cope with. The AA members asked me to conduct a memorial service for her. On a Monday evening, about 150 members of AA gathered in our sanctuary to hear me preach the Word of God and share with them the love of Jesus. Their expressions of gratitude were overwhelming. A few have begun to drop in to our Sunday services.

Myth #2: People from the general public are turned off by uniformwearing Salvationists.

Most of the time when I am around our church building I am wearing some form of Salvation Army uniform, usually a regulation shirt and tie with the words “The Salvation Army” embossed on either my shirt or jacket. The people who hang out behind the church before or after their meetings are usually smoking cigarettes and talking. They eagerly address me as “Major” and have no reservations about stopping to chat with me. To others I am “the Maj.” When they see the uniform they know who I am and they know what I stand for. To them I am the embodiment of the organization that supports them, encourages them and does not judge them.

Myth #3: We cannot identify our churches as Salvation Army.

Our church has a large, colourful Salvation Army crest to the left of our main doors.

A light shines on the crest at night. Our main doors, which are glass, are etched with a large Salvation Army shield. To the right of the door there are raised, white letters spelling out the words “The Salvation Army,” again with a light at night. From our flagpole flies the Army flag. There is no mistaking who we are. For this reason people often walk into our building without an appointment, some looking for help, some offering help. The identity does not prevent them from coming. Quite the opposite happens; they come because we are The Salvation Army.

Now that I have thoroughly busted these myths, I have a few dummies to attend to.

Major Fred Ash is corps officer at Burlington Community Church, Ont.

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than is required.

Inside This Issue Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX

January 2010 No. 45 www.salvationist.ca E-mail: salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org

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Features 17 The Heart of a Child Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX

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Exploring new opportunities to reach young people for Christ

by Major Max Sturge Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX

20 The Army Behind the Army

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New National Advisory Board offers strategic guidance and support

23 Enriching the Army World

PRODUCT LABELING GUIDE

Chief of the Staff and World Secretary for Women’s Ministries FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL appointed by the General

24 Stained Glass Urbanism Departments 2 Letters 4 Editorial

14 Point Counterpoint

by Major Jim Champ

Army in the Streets

2009 Report Card

5 Around the Territory 6 Did You Know?

8 Why an Army?

Our Unrelenting Spirit

by Major Julie Slous

9 Prayer Guide 10 Logo for Living

Take Time Again … in 2010

by Commissioner Marilyn D. Francis

11 Divisional Spotlight

Churches must “think different” about their relationship to cities

by Robert Joustra

Building Up the Temple

by Lieutenant Peter Lublink and Major Bob Armstrong

16

16 Ministry in Action

by Ken Ramstead

22 Clarion Call

Our Future Lies in Our Past

by Major Fred Ash

27 Celebrate Community Enrolment and recognition, tribute, calendar, gazette

30 Media Reviews 31 Jarring Words

An Emerging Identity

by Major Ray Harris

British Columbia Division

Inside Faith & Friends Ark of Wonders At L’Arche, Matt Rawlins sees beyond disabilities to the person within

Two Worlds Collide In James Cameron’s Avatar, a reluctant warrior is forced to choose sides in a battle that will decide the fate of a planet

Home for the Holidays Laurie Williamson’s son had

only one request. But where would Dad find a tuba before tomorrow?

Faith &

frıends

January 2010

www.faithandfriends.ca

When you finish reading Faith & Friends in ArkoF Hope the centre of this issue, pull it out and give it to someone who needs to hear about Christ’s life-changing power Inspiration for Living

At L’Arche, artistic director Matt Rawlins sees past disabilities to the person within

Worlds CollIde In AvAtAr

Mission Impossible: Find That Tuba!

Carrying the olympic Flame

Salvationist.ca Leadership & Critical Thought What does it mean to be a Salvationist today? Contribute to the discussion

Share Your Faith

Media Resources

Share your faith by forwarding articles from Salvationist and Faith & Friends by e-mail, Facebook or Twitter.

Just click one of the icons found at the bottom of every article posted

Does your church make audio or video recordings of special events, Bible studies or sermons? If so, we’d like to include them in our collection of media resources at Salvationist.ca Salvationist I January 2010 I 3

Editorial

I

2009 Report Card

n a Peanuts comic strip, Lucy says to Charlie Brown, “Charlie, life is like a cruise ship. Some people sit at the front of the ship looking forward in anticipation of where they are going, while others sit at the back reflecting on where they have been. Tell me, Charlie Brown, on the great cruise ship of life, which way does your deck chair face?” Charlie Brown looks a bit confused as he considers Lucy’s challenge.

Then he mumbles, “Um, I can’t seem to get my chair open.”

January seems like an appropriate time to publish a report card for our editorial department. Admittedly, this report is selfprepared, but its intention is to review the past year and provide a basis upon which you, the reader, can give us your feedback.

In this way, we can be better positioned to improve the magazine in the future.

Salvationist seeks to inspire, inform and build community within The Salvation Army family in Canada and Bermuda.

Geographically, our territory is one of the largest in the Army world. In 2009, Salvationist published reports from TritonBrighton, N.L., to Yellowknife, N.W.T., with many places in-between. More than 150 ministry events were highlighted.

There was much to celebrate and we welcomed the opportunity to report the news.

But even still, we only scratched the surface of the Army story.

Anyone who reads Salvationist regularly will notice that some ministry units in the territory are seldom, if ever, mentioned. We intend to change that in 2010. This year, we are going to take you on a trek across the territory to see some of the things God is doing through his people in each division. In this issue, we begin our journey in beautiful British Columbia and will conclude on the shores of balmy Bermuda in November. We anticipate an overflow of newsworthy material and intend to use both the magazine and Salvationist.ca website to communicate it.

Salvationist is blessed with a cadre of excellent writers, such as Dr. Jim Read and Majors Julie Slous, Fred Ash and Ray Harris. Whether for short news reports or feature articles, we are always looking for new contributors.

For several years, our magazines have won Canadian Church Press awards. In 2009, Salvationist and Faith & Friends won eight awards. Unfortunately, awards of excellence, skilled writers and timely topics do not always translate into increased circulation. Our goal is to place a copy of Salvationist magazine in the home of every soldier and adherent in the territory.

To make that happen, we need your help.

Here are a few simple things that you can do to assist us in getting the “word” out.

Make sure that the magazines are on display and readily available at your corps.

Better yet, volunteer to personally distribute Salvationist to corps members as they arrive on Sunday morning for worship.

Encourage the use of the “Keep Connected” publicity materials (PowerPoint slides and bulletin inserts) that are e-mailed each month to all ministry units and are available for download at Salvationist.ca.

Salvationist is your magazine. The editorial department is thankful for your loyalty and support. I believe that I have an “A” team in my department. But the real grade is determined by you, the reader.

Write and tell us how we are doing. And let us know what’s happening in your corner of the territory.

Major Jim Champ Editor-in-Chief

Salvationist

is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory Shaw Clifton General Commissioner William W. Francis Territorial Commander Major Jim Champ Editor-in-Chief Geoff Moulton Assistant Editor-in-Chief John McAlister Senior Editor (416-467-3185) Major Max Sturge Associate Editor (416-422-6116) Timothy Cheng Art Director Pamela Richardson Production and Distribution Co-ordinator Major Brenda Critch, Ken Ramstead, Captain Kim Walter Contributors Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769.

Member, The Canadian Church Press. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, Today’s New International Version (TNIV) © 2001, 2005 International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

All rights reserved worldwide. All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory and can be reprinted only with written permission.

Subscriptions

Annual: Canada $30 (includes GST); U.S. $36; foreign $41. Available from: The Salvation Army, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

Phone: 416-422-6112; fax: 416-422-6120; e-mail: circulation@can.salvationarmy.org.

Advertising

Inquire by e-mail for rates at circulation@ can.salvationarmy.org.

News, Events and Submissions

Editorial lead time is seven weeks prior to an issue’s publication date. No responsibility is assumed to publish, preserve or return unsolicited material. Write to salvationist@ can.salvationarmy.org or Salvationist, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

Mission

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. Salvationist informs readers about the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda.

Salvationist.ca Facebook.com/salvationistmagazine Twitter.com/salvationist

4 I January 2010 I Salvationist

Around the territory

Trafficking Seminar Attracts Diverse Crowd

From left: Lt-Col Floyd Tidd, DC, Ont. CE Div; Brenda Wootten, executive director, Florence Booth House; Timea Nagy; Lt-Col Tracey Tidd, DDWM, Ont. CE Div; Col Ann Copple, TSWM

The Salvation Army Florence Booth House and Toronto Corps 614 presented the seminar Fighting the Trafficking of Women and Children at North York Temple, Toronto, in September. The goal of the presentation was to inform community agencies, Salvationists and others concerned about this issue, answering the questions, What is trafficking? and Who is at risk?

The presenters were mainly staff from Florence Booth House, who reported to the audience of about 85 that in Canada as many as 5,000 individuals are deceived into entering the country illegally every year. They are then coerced to work in a variety of areas including sweatshops, domestic labour, the sex trade and construction work. The average age of girls recruited in this way is 14-15. Many are eager to escape poverty or abuse at home. They look to Canada as a place of unlimited opportunity, but find only further enslavement.

A highlight of the presentation was the story of Timea Nagy, a young woman who was recruited from Eastern Europe and forced into a life of abuse and degradation.

Her courage and determination to free herself and make a new life in Canada encouraged all who heard her.

Integrating Aboriginal Culture into Outreach The corps in Yellowknife is striving to incorporate native Canadian culture into its outreach programs. In September, in conjunction with Canadian Seniors’ Week, they held a blessing service and feast to honour the elders in their community. In native culture, senior members are held in esteem, giving this Northwest Territories’ corps an excellent chance to connect with their community. In addition to the elders, their families and friends, residents of the Army’s Bailey House and the emergency shelter attended the celebration.

The Inuit tradition of inviting the Spirit of God to enter the circle of people gathered together gave Majors Dale and Jo Sobool, corps officers, an opportunity to begin the worship service on a spiritual

note. They incorporated Scripture readings that conveyed the value of family and of passing on faith to the next generation by inviting children from the corps to participate in the service.

At the end of the service, the elders were invited to the front of the room to share some of their memories, including where they were born and something about their children and grandchildren.

The congregation then stood while the corps officers individually prayed for and blessed each participant. Following the blessing, Major Jo Sobool says, “The congregation broke out into spontaneous applause, which made the elders feel very special.”

Following the service, the corps provided a luncheon feast for the elders and presented them with gifts. “It was a great success,” reports Major Jo Sobool. “We will do it again next year.”

Mjrs Jo and Dale Sobool, COs, present gifts to Yellowknife elders

Community Response Units Dedicated On the eighth anniversary of the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., the Ontario Great Lakes Division spent time in remembrance and prayer. They used the occasion to dedicate the newest additions to their emergency disaster services community response unit fleet, which were made possible through the Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation.

Major Neil Lewis, executive director, Centre of Hope, London, Ont., shared his personal experiences at Ground Zero following the attacks. Perron Goodyear, divisional emergency disaster services director, spoke on emergency disaster

services in the present, and Lt-Colonel Lee Graves, divisional commander, and Major Rene Loveless, area commander, Lake Erie Region, dedicated the vehicles to the glory of God. The dedication event was a joint initiative of the Ontario Great Lake Division’s emergency disaster services and public relations and development departments and was supported by officers and staff from ministry units throughout the division. “The addition of the new EDS units will help to greatly increase our capacity to meet our obligations to the people that we are called to serve,” says Major Rick Shirran, territorial emergency disaster

EDS vehicles set out to be deployed throughout the Ont. GL Div

services director. Also in attendance were Salvation Army advisory board members, Emergency Management Ontario personnel, members of local police, fire and EMS departments, and representatives from all three levels of government.

Salvationist I January 2010 I 5

Around the territory

Future College Students are Booth Bound

Booth Bound participant Kaitlynn Williams and Booth College student Cassandra Butt fill bags with flour for distribution through Weetamah Corps

Awesome! Great, funfilled weekend! These were some of the words used to describe William and Catherine Booth College’s first Salvationist campus visit weekend—Booth Bound. Held at the college in Winnipeg, the event attracted students from the local area, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

The weekend commenced on Thursday evening with a time of worship and intro-

ductions as college staff and Booth Bound participants got to know one another. This was followed by a screening of the 2008 hit movie, The Dark Knight. A vigorous discussion of the film was led by Booth College professor, Dr. Michael Boyce. Students and faculty offered insights and different perspectives on the conflict between good and evil in the movie and related these themes to their Christian faith.

Did You Know … … the community of Monkstown, N.L., currently has a population of 27 people? At the Sunday night meeting at The Salvation Army on November 8, 2009, there were 26 in attendance … Major John Cheydleur, social services secretary, U.S.A. Eastern Territory, has written a book entitled Something Good is Trying to Happen to You? His work offers encouragement and advice on how to make wise decisions that will enable 6 I January 2010 I Salvationist

Friday morning and early afternoon were filled with stimulating classes prepared

by Booth College faculty especially for Booth Bound.

Topics included understanding oppression and reading the Bible in a Christian university college. Prior to lunch, students participated in The Well, Booth College’s Friday chapel service.

On Friday evening, delegates were introduced to Booth College’s urban service learning program as they made their way to Winnipeg’s inner-city Weetamah Corps where they assisted with several of its ministries. Some played floor hockey, some served dinner to a large crowd and others packed flour and sugar for distribution later.

The formal program concluded on Saturday morning with a series of workshops during which students learned about new Booth College programs that interested them.

These include bachelor of arts programs in religion, English and film studies, behavioural sciences and general studies, and the bachelor of social work program.

On Saturday afternoon, most participants, along with many faculty and staff, boarded Winnipeg Transit buses to travel to Winnipeg Stadium to watch the Blue Bombers battle the Montreal Alouettes.

After cheering the Bombers on to victory, delegates visited a variety of restaurants to get a taste of Winnipeg. Finally, the evening concluded at a performance of Dorothy Sayers’ mystery, Strong Poison, at the Manitoba Theatre Centre.

Throughout the weekend, the emphasis was on building relationships as students and staff learned, worshipped, ate and played together.

A second Booth Bound event is scheduled for October 21-24, 2010. Watch for details at www.boothbound.com.

Booth Bound participants relax at Booth College

the reader to live a victorious life. It is available from use.trade@use.salvationarmy.org … politicians from across British Columbia gathered at a special reception in October 2009 at the parliament buildings in Victoria to “Meet the Army”? The annual event is hosted by the Army to create an opportunity to share its story and familiarize those in government with its programming … the Prairie Division is planning a youth event for March 2010 entitled “In Exile for a While”?

Based on a Red Cross program that helps teens to experience what refugees experience, the event will help participants invest more of themselves in their relationship with Christ … William and Catherine Booth College offers extension courses via internet to international students? The program is intended to help Salvationist students who cannot afford to come to Canada to study while remaining in their own homes

Around the territory

More Than a Feeling

Young people participate in completely outrageous fun at Youth Together weekend

The message to young people at the Alberta and Northern Territories Division’s Youth Together weekend was that faith in Christ is wonderful, but it’s much more than a feeling. Captain Bramwell Pearce, divisional youth secretary, reports that the retreat, held at Pine Lake Camp, near Red Deer, Alta., was a special time of worship, spiritual reflection, 1980s-themed events and laughter.

Rob Perry, Corps 614, Toronto, spoke to the young people about Jesus’ instruction that joining the Kingdom of God means leaving all other kingdoms behind. “When

you become a Christian, Jesus invades your life and makes you into someone he can use to change the world,” he said.

“Through you, Jesus will break down poverty, racism and sexism.”

Youth Together also provided an opportunity for youth to engage in “mindless, goofy and sometimes completely outrageous fun,” says Captain Pearce. It concluded with a challenge for the young people to commit themselves to God. “Angels may have been dancing, our teens certainly were. It was fantastic.”

Bracebridge Mortgage Burning The Salvation Army has been active in the northern Ontario town of Bracebridge for more than 125 years. It began ministering to the community sheltered only by a tent in its earliest days. In June 2009, just before celebrating the milestone anniversary, members gathered to witness its leaders burn the mortgage for its corps building.

The new building, now six years old, is the centre for a variety of activities for all ages. They include youth and sports, a community Bible study, a monthly seniors’ lunch and the space to operate its Christmas hamper program.

CSM Nancy Turley; Lou Scanlon, acting CT; Cpts Tina and Chris Rideout, COs, ignite the paid-off mortgage papers

Building Up Youth Leaders Newfoundland and Labrador Division sponsored a youth leaders’ weekend entitled Advancing—the Next Generation at Twin Ponds Camp, located near Gander. The event attracted more than 80 divisional youth leaders and featured Major Denise Walker, territorial children and family ministries secretary, and Clint Houlbrook, territorial youth consultant and editor of sendthefire.ca.

Major Walker shared a keynote address on the importance of cradle-to-grave discipleship and conducted workshops on family ministry and teaching children to pray. Houlbrook presented workshops on being a missionary to youth culture as well as effective storytelling. On Saturday evening, he led a session of prayer entitled Heart Cry, Youth leaders gather for fellowship and learning at Twin Ponds Camp where many of the participants knelt, prayed with one another and spent quiet moments in reflection. time for group facilitators was also included, led by Captain The weekend included workshops on such topics as menPamela Pinkson, corps officer in Gander. Bringing the weekend toring, social justice and magic with a message. Workshops were to a close, Lt-Colonel Alf Richardson, divisional commander, presented by Valerie Barter, Roxanne Ryland, and Majors Brian reminded the crowd of the reasons why they give of themselves and Valerie Wheeler. A Red Cap anger management training to young people with his message.

Salvationist I January 2010 I 7

WHY AN ARMY?

Our Unrelenting Spirit

Are we too timid about sharing our faith? Let’s recapture the fervour of early-day Salvationists

BY MAJOR JULIE SLOUS

A

few years ago, our family visited Disney’s Magic Kingdom over New Year’s Eve. Over 800,000 guests were in the park that day. It was an incredible mass of people, all intent on getting to their favourite attraction at the same time. Eventually, we found ourselves waiting in a two-hour queue for one of the more popular rides. Inching along the line, I became more and more conscious of the large number of people waiting with us. I wondered about their stories: Where had they come from? How many had a personal faith in Christ? How many would I see gathered in the courts of Heaven? Being in the midst of my thesis research on Army history, I wondered what William or Catherine Booth would have done in this moment. Surely there would have been an impromptu sermon! As I became increasingly convicted, I struggled with why I didn’t seize that moment to proclaim Christ.

In fairness, my hesitation wasn’t really that hard to understand. No doubt, park officials would have had something to say 8 I January 2010 I Salvationist

about my actions, never mind the reaction of my children! Yet, this aggressive perspective that says, “Let me speak of Christ at all times and in all ways” is part of the legacy we inherit as Salvationists.

When God created The Salvation Army, he raised up a Movement of Christian believers who defined themselves by an “unrelenting spirit.” Early Salvationists were known for their uncompromising determination to make Christ known. In 1880, Catherine Booth recognized that the world would caution us not to be too aggressive with our message, for fear that we offend. “Am I to wait till an unconverted Godless man wants to be saved before I try and save him?” she retorted.

“Am I to let my unconverted friends and acquaintances drift down quietly to damnation and never tell them about their souls, until they say, ‘If you please, I want you to preach to me!’?”

Turning back the pages of our history, we are confronted with one indisputable fact: early Salvationists were driven by conviction. They didn’t wait for permission

to speak of Christ—they just did it. They understood that the world did not want religion rammed down its throat, but didn’t let that limit their evangelistic work.

In this series, we continue to ask why the world still needs the presence of The Salvation Army in the larger context of the universal Church. What is it we bring to the table as Salvationists that is unique and life-giving? I would argue it’s a distinct flavour of Christian witness defined by our energy and vitality. It’s the strength of a gospel message informed by passionate voices that still has the power to impact the work of the Kingdom.

If this is our conviction, then three questions invite conversation.

1) What is it today that holds us back from passionately representing Christ?

To conduct open-air meetings is not as easy as it was for our Founders. Making “our cathedral in the great outdoors” requires jumping through administrative hoops for city permits, etc. Add to this the fact that people increasingly live behind closed doors and in closed communities. People fear contact with strangers. Is the task of reaching them too difficult?

Are we hesitant to demonstrate our spiritual fervour simply because we aren’t sure of the best way to do it? How do we get the attention of our audience in a way that is non-threatening, yet honouring of what the gospel represents? Perhaps the key is to realize how our renewed enthusiasm for the task can actually draw people toward our message.

2) How is morale or “spirit to represent Christ” growing in us? If we look back to Principles for War, set out for the secular military in the late 1700s, we see an incredible emphasis on developing morale among the troops. A key voice in this discussion was military historian Carl von Clausewitz (1780-1831) who argued that “numbers, armament and resources cannot compensate for lack of courage, energy, determination and a bold offensive spirit, which springs from a national determination to conquer.” Clausewitz recognized that success in war was dependant on morale and determination.

Early Salvationists clearly understood this, too. While they did not have impressive buildings or vast resources to draw the attention of the public, they used what they had. Their greatest ammunition was a passionate conviction that the same salvation experience that changed them could transform the lives of others. In the testi-

TAG LINE Guide Prayer monies of converts, it was evident that people were living “close to the flame.”

Something was alive within them and the power of God was shining forth. In our context, we must ask: What is alive and growing within us? What is motivating us to passionately represent Christ?

January 1-2 Focus on the New Year 1 Pray for God to lay on your heart what is on his heart for 2010 2 Pray that preachers and teachers of God’s Word will uncompromisingly make known the truth of the gospel

3) How do we rethink our operational strategies to do 21st-century evangelism? In the Booths’ day, a Salvationist’s unrelenting spirit usually meant a confrontational approach. We broadcasted this “in your face” form of evangelism into the world with the intent of waking up sleeping sinners. The challenge today is that our audience has become too comfortable hitting the snooze button on the Church’s breaking-news reports. Complacency to spiritual truth has lessened the impact of our confrontational message. Our new strategy must be to intentionally draw people inside the experience of faith, using invitational instead of confrontational battle tactics.

Presbyterian minister and author Thomas Long provides a helpful analogy when he speaks of an explorer entering a cave, intent on finding a treasure. After wandering through alluring grottos and inching across dangerous ledges, suddenly he turns a corner and discovers what he has been looking for all along. Shining a light on a wall, he discovers gems dancing with fire and colour. He stands in awe and silence. He knows exactly what he must do. Carefully retracing his path, he scrambles back to the mouth of the cave. Waving his flashlight, he calls out, “Come on in here everyone … have I got something to show you!”

The world needs to see this signaling flashlight in the hands of today’s Salvationists. Our goal is to invite people “inside the cave” to see the glory of the Lord. The vitality of what we have discovered for ourselves and the reality of what is growing within us will encourage others to follow.

Why an Army? Because the world still needs people who are passionately inspired by their faith. The world still needs the unrelenting spirit of today’s Salvationist.

May God help us to live close to the fire of our convictions.

January 3-9 Focus on the Finance Department 3 Pray for the financial secretary and department staff as they face the challenges of today’s financial environment 4 Pray for the successful recruitment and retention of competent people in finance and accounting 5 Pray that God will enable the department to be more technologically creative to reduce costs 6 Pray for wisdom and integrity to act responsibly as stewards of the Army’s financial resources 7 Pray that the staff will serve our 300 ministry units efficiently and effectively 8 Pray for the department—investment committee, managers, custodians and others—to be prudent handlers of Army funds 9 Pray that investment strategies will secure continuous income for the Army’s work

Next Month: Our Uncompromising Vision Major Julie Slous is the corps officer at Heritage Park Temple in Winnipeg. She has a doctorate in ministry from Luther Seminary in Minneapolis, U.S.A.

January 10-16 Focus on our Partners in Mission: Liberia Command 10 Pray for the recently commissioned lieutenants as they face the challenges of their first appointments 11 Pray that God will grant leadership wisdom to Lt-Cols Peter and Jessica Dali and the command team 12 Pray for Liberia as it recovers after 16 years of civil war 13 Pray that the financial challenges will be met for properties, buildings and transportation for new church plants 14 Pray for the smooth running of the Army’s educational institutions 15 Pray for the command evangelistic team and for each region to organize its own mission team 16 Pray that the remaining budget for the vocational training centre will be met January 17-23 Focus on the Prairie Division 17 Pray for candidate cultivation of young Salvationists throughout the division

18 Pray for the new building project and the ongoing ministry of the Multicultural Family Centre in Winnipeg 19 Pray for the women’s shelter in Saskatoon and the Grace Haven/ Gemma House building project in Regina 20 Pray that we will be proactive in helping the community to better understand the Army’s story 21 Pray for new initiatives in youth and children’s ministry and for leaders to encourage and lead young people 22 Pray for the continued growth and equipping of all ministry units for community outreach 23 Pray for the officers and their unique ministries in rural areas January 24-30 Focus on Living the Vision: We envision a visible identity 24 Pray for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit on the Army as a visible manifestation of God’s love for all nations through our churches and social services centres 25 Pray for Salvationists to more fully identify with Jesus and the Army’s mission 26 Pray for wisdom and grace for territorial leadership in overseeing the many expressions of the Army in the Canada and Bermuda Territory 27 Pray that we will foster territorial unity, recognizing that tension can be a catalyst for growth 28 Pray for grace to accept God’s mission to engage different cultures, languages and ethnicities 29 Pray that we will be passionate in implementing our mission 30 Pray for us to value our spiritual heritage and pass it on to the next generation January 31 Focus on Canada Ablaze 31 Pray that communities across northern Ontario, the Prairies and eastern British Columbia will be infused with hope as they welcome the Olympic torch The Prayer Guide is available online at Salvationist.ca. To receive a copy by e-mail, contact Lt-Colonel Winsome Mason, territorial secretary for spiritual life development, at winsome_mason@can. salvationarmy.org Salvationist I January 2010 I 9

LOGO FOR LIVING

Take Time Again … in 2010 To taste, think and trust

By Commissioner Marilyn D. Francis

S

ince 1990, the Lord has given me a “logo for living” to focus on for an entire year. He has also made it clear that this logo should be shared with others as a personal testimony. Last year’s theme focused on the need to “strive to shine in 2009 through our story, our silence, our song,” challenging us all to share what the Master has done and is doing in our lives.

This year I have received a new message, and I am honoured to share it with you.

Take Time Again … in 2010!

Luke 12:12: “… for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say” Time to: Taste—Psalm 34:8: “O taste and see that the Lord is good” (KJV); Think—Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things”; Trust—Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”

He has made everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11) It often seems impossible to find the necessary time to accomplish all of our daily tasks. Many of us feel like there will never be enough of it in our schedules to take care of things. Time gets away from us. We lose track of it.

But time is in our hands. It is a gift.

And how we use it is up to us.

In Our Hands Time is not for wasting. God offers it to us with the expectation that we will use it wisely. This demands severe intentionality. We must daily seek his face through Bible study and prayer. It’s not the length of time that’s important, but rather the consistency that comes when we faithfully 10 I January 2010 I Salvationist

dedicate space in our schedules to spend with the Lord. As we establish a purposeful plan to take time with God, we learn that this practice becomes a necessity in our lives. We should never begin nor close a day without first seeking the presence of Jesus. In fact, as we deliberately take time for him, we will develop a pattern that is as much a part of us as is our DNA. And now the three points that always accompany every logo for living. Take Time Again … in 2010 to taste, think and trust.

Make Your Time His This lovely song reminds us to be intentional in our taking of time. If we don’t, the time will never come.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on; Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone; By looking to Jesus, like him thou shalt be; Thy friends in thy conduct his likeness shall see.

William Dunn Longstaff

Taste Again First of all, taste again and “see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). In Psalm 27:13 we read, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (KJV). The Lord is so good to us all. When we take time to be with him, we realize more of his goodness. We taste of his faithfulness and then witness his blessings in new ways.

Think Again Secondly, think again. We need to revamp our thinking. The Scripture in Philippians

4:8 tells us exactly what to think. When our jobs demand critical thinking, or when our day-to-day activities cause our thoughts to become clouded or skewed, we need to stop and take time to seek God’s direction. He wants us to view ourselves and the world around us as he does. He reminds us to think on what is just, pure and lovely. But when we get wounded in the fight of life, we often choose to mull things over or feel that we have to talk to someone else about it. If we intentionally take time with God, however, he will help us to soar above our earthly thoughts and see the things that he desires.

Take the time to be re-MIND-ed. Think on those things worthy of praise. When we do this, we feel better about ourselves and others will notice. Life becomes positive and blessed, and as a result, we become a blessing to others.

Trust Again Thirdly, trust again. Trusting is believing.

In difficult situations, my mother taught me to place my trust in God alone. She said, “Believe and then you will see.” But the world conditions us to say, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” When we believe and trust in God completely, we discover that his timing is perfect. May we all trust this coming year to him and believe. As his Word reminds us in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

My friends, take time again in 2010 to taste, think and trust in God. He has made and will make everything beautiful in its time.

Commissioner Marilyn D. Francis is the territorial president of women’s ministries in the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

DIVISIONAL SPOTLIGHT

British Columbia Division

Over the next year, Salvationist will take readers on a territorial trek, spotlighting the unique contribution of each division in building God’s Kingdom FAST FACTS:

From the DC’s Desk: My husband, Dirk, and I have returned to “beautiful British Columbia” after being away for 20 years. In the past five months, we have been amazed at the service The Salvation Army renders through corps ministries and social service programs.

Psalm 40:5 comes to mind, “Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us.

None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.”

We celebrate the joy, enthusiasm, imagination and beauty with the officers, soldiers, adherents, volunteers, employees and friends of The Salvation in this part of the territory. We count it a privilege to serve God and constantly look for the hidden possibilities.

—Major Susan L. van Duinen, Divisional Commander It Takes a Village to Raise an Army This year, The Salvation Army is celebrating 111 years of ministry in Sik-e-dakh, an Aboriginal reserve in northwestern British Columbia. The Salvation Army corps is at the centre of this community of 225 people, as it is in the three neighbouring Aboriginal villages of Gitsegukla, Gitwinksihlkw and Hazelton. An outpost was also recently opened in Kitselas by

• British Columbia has a population of 4,455,200, with 78 percent of the labour force in the service industry • I n 2004, British Columbia South and British Columbia North Divisions became one division, with each region reporting to their own area commander • British Columbia Division has 47 corps and 45 family services units • This year, the Army in British Columbia will provide one million meals for the hungry • Camp Sunrise and Camp Mountainview served 644 campers last year • 200,750 shelter nights are provided for the homeless at 16 locations • Grace Mansion is a new transitional housing facility in Vancouver that helps clients integrate back into the community

• 100 beds are provided for parolees at 20 correctional and justice services programs • Three addiction rehabilitation centres offer 244 adult treatment beds, with six beds in Victoria for youth with crystal meth addiction • Families suffering domestic abuse are sheltered through Kate Booth House • Three assisted-living/long-term care centres for seniors operate in Vancouver, New Westminster and Victoria • The Army partners with the Rotary Club to provide 10 hospice beds in Richmond • 12 community crisis units (mobile kitchens) respond to emergencies • At the War College, Salvationist youth are trained in mission in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

March of Witness: Army makes its presence felt in Sik-e-dakh

the Terrace Corps.

The Army was first introduced to the villages by Aboriginal people who were converted during their spring fish-

ing expeditions further south in British Columbia. Years later, when Salvation Army officers were appointed to the villages, they found an already functioning Salvationist I January 2010 I 11

DIVISIONAL SPOTLIGHT Army. In recent years, Aboriginal people have been trained and commissioned specifically to work in the villages, and three of four corps have Aboriginal officers. In two of the villages, the corps officers are also part of a group of respected chiefs, with accompanying responsibilities in the community.

Although they use typical Salvation Army terminology and structure, corps life is quite different in the villages. Much of the activity revolves around events such as feasts and funerals, which require the participation of the entire community and involve meetings in local homes.

“Community is the focal point for Aboriginal life, and when events like home league sales are held, the whole community participates,” explains Major Faith Cameron, programme co-ordinator, British Columbia North. Salvation Army officers are often involved in political discussions, such as being called upon to bless land-claims hearings.

There are many challenges in First Nations villages, from alcohol and drug dependency to depression and suicide. Some villages have 80-90 percent unemployment because of cutbacks in fishing, hunting and lumber. The Salvation Army provides food, clothing and community mental-health counselling to many residents.

“People are under a lot of stress because they are trying to find their place as a distinct people in Canadian culture,” explains Major Malcolm Cameron, area commander, British Columbia North. “The Salvation Army is walking beside these courageous

Game On: Kids in Kelowna hone their hockey skills

people as they evolve and develop a sense of who they are.”

Spreading Hope in the Okanagan Valley Three hours north of the United States border, Vernon is a place where vegetables, grapes and peaches abound, and where you can play golf and ski in the same day. With a sincere desire to serve the community’s spiritual needs, the Army leadership team in Vernon took a bold step in 2005.

“We chose to take the church into the marketplace,” says David MacBain, community ministries director. “We realized it’s not the building but the people who are the true church.” They converted the existing corps building into a versatile

Coffee with a Conscience: Talkin’ Donkey serves up Fair Trade products 12 I January 2010 I Salvationist

family services centre, housing the local food bank and community kitchens program. Then they moved the church to the Talkin’ Donkey, a coffee house that allows the congregation to mix with the community.

The reference to Balaam’s donkey, who talked to him about being on the right path, gives staff frequent opportunities to talk to customers about their journey along God’s path. Sunday evenings are reserved for engaging discussions and instruction on spiritual matters.

“While the public are invited to attend on Sundays, they are more likely to be involved in Bible studies, which have been held in homes throughout the community over the past four years,” comments Major Philip Franco, corps officer. Salvationists in Vernon are passionate about social justice issues, such as poverty alleviation and human trafficking, and this comes through at the Talkin’ Donkey. All coffee served is fair trade, and other fair-trade products are available alongside the local artwork, light meals and live bands.

They are not the only ones enjoying coffee. In Penticton, one third of corps members attend a Tuesday morning coffee and conversation time. Penticton is the friendliest corps in the territory according to its corps officer, Major Maurice Davis. “You can be greeted four or five times before reaching the sanctuary,” he explains. Salvationists in Penticton also share their love through community care ministries, visiting six nursing homes monthly to share music, cheer, love and a devotional message with shut-ins. Several corps members also volunteer with The Salvation Army’s recycling program, food bank and men’s shelter.

DIVISIONAL SPOTLIGHT Kelowna is the hub of British Columbia’s interior. In addition to a feeding van that operates five nights a week, the corps is working on converting an old bowling alley into a family life centre and thrift store, with the vision of teaching parenting and life skills. Under the direction of Gary Rich, Kelowna Community Church runs a ball-hockey league for 85 young people from the community, ages five-18, with devotions at “centre ice.” Rich also leads a fine-arts program where young people can take guitar and art lessons.

“Each year we give out 1,000 Christmas hampers, and include scholarships for the ball-hockey league and the fine arts program in the hampers,” explains Major Ron Cartmell, corps officer. “It’s a way for us to reach kids in our community and it becomes an entry point to the gospel.” Eight people have received Christ as their Saviour at Kelowna in the past five months, including two 11-year-olds in Sunday school. “People are coming to know God because they are building relationships of trust with members of the corps,” says Major Cartmell.

Young people are also coming to know God at New Hope Community Church in Salmon Arm. Salmon Arm is on the Trans-Canada Highway, halfway between Vancouver and Calgary, surrounded by mountains. “We have a teen girl in our corps who recently invited four of her friends to come to church. She is our evangelist and wonders, ‘Why wouldn’t everyone want to worship?’ ” explains Captain Glen Fraser, corps officer. He notes that people are also coming to church through the food bank. “We get to know who they are and befriend them, letting them know we are here for them. The Salvation Army is a place where hope is offered.”

Princes, Paupers and The Salvation Army Prince George is a forestry-based community of 80,000 people in northern British Columbia that currently faces high unemployment. The Army runs the only official food bank in the city and has seen a 40 percent increase in requests.

“Having so many families come to the Army for help is a privilege,” says Envoy Bruce Kirk, corps officer. “We offer to pray with them. Clients know this food and help is provided because Christ cares for them. We are respectful of all faiths and people appreciate the chance to share.”

In addition, The Salvation Army runs a “Success by Six” program where families can learn about proper nutrition and health

care for their children.

Alumni from the program get together for a coffee break and book studies.

Prince Rupert, a rainy coastal town of 12,000 in northern British Columbia, is a beautiful spot—especially when the sun is shining. In June, the corps in Prince Rupert will celebrate its 100th anniversary.

“A grand weekend has been planned to look back with joy and thanksgiving on all that God has done, and to look forward with enthusiasm to what he will do,” says Captain Gary Sheils, corps officer.

For several years the town has been in an economic slump and the need for the Army’s work has never been greater.

Sharing in Prayer: Prince George food bank offers spiritual support

In 2009, the food bank provided 2,500 food hampers, the soup kitchen served 36,000 meals and the emergency shelter operated at 90 percent capacity. Thanks to community support, the Army’s work continues. Even on cloudy days, God’s light shines in Prince Rupert.

More Than Gold: Olympic Outreach

In February, the world will gather in Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Salvation Army is ready to share the love of God through a wide range of outreach opportunities: • The Army is partnering with VANOC (Vancouver Organizing Committee) to provide refreshments and friendly conversation at key transportation hubs during the Olympics.

Refreshments will also be served

by Salvation Army volunteers at Translink stations.

• Corps and social services centres will host big-screen viewing parties, offering congregations, clients and communities the chance to experience the Games and fellowship.

• Some corps will offer vacation Bible school, festivals for children and community hockey tournaments.

• A sports outreach program with Christian professional athletes will be held for church and family services.

• Hospitality kits will be distributed to homeless people.

• 200,000 copies of a special Olympic edition of Faith & Friends magazine will be distributed along with special Salvation Army pins. Salvation Army musicians will have the chance to minister at various locations.

• Anti-human trafficking initiatives will raise awareness and engage those involved on both sides of the sex trade.

The Salvation Army is one of 15 denominations involved in the More Than Gold network of Christian denominations and agencies serving thousands of visitors to the Games. “In a setting that is focused on attaining ‘gold,’ we want to demonstrate to the world the inestimable value of our faith that is ‘more precious than gold,’ ” says Sharon Tidd, Vancouver/Whistler 2010 Olympic outreach co-ordinator, citing 1 Peter 1:7. “We want the 2010 Games to be known for the blessing that God poured out on the world through his Church.”

Salvationist I January 2010 I 13

POINT COUNTERPOINT

Building Up the Temple

The Salvation Army invests millions in buildings and property. Should we be renovating, maintaining and constructing more churches? Or should we worship in public spaces, such as school gymnasiums and community centres?

This is the first in a series of debates in which a variety of Salvationists will explore two sides of an issue that is critical to Army mission.

Yes, keep our buildings.

But let’s open them up to the community and attract newcomers.

BY LIEUTENANT PETER LUBLINK There was a time not long ago when I argued that we needed to sell a lot of our church buildings. I saw so many of them lying dormant and neglected. The problem was empty, unused buildings. My solution was to sell off our property assets and use the revenue for other important Army priorities.

Even after arriving in Victoria as corps officer at High Point Community Church a little over a year ago, I still had the urge to sell our corps building. After all, it was underutilized and had fallen into major disrepair. But instead of selling the building, our congregation worked side-by-side to renovate the space, making it more functional. Some professional contractors were involved, but much of the work was done by volunteers. The same people who sang on Sundays, swung hammers on Mondays.

In the same month that we began to renovate, a number of community organizations came to us looking for rental space.

The partnership seemed obvious. We had space and they needed it. The city of Victoria wanted to use our church as a location to house the homeless on the coldest nights of the year. Our building became not only a source of revenue, but an asset to the community. We discovered the solution to an empty and expensive building is not to sell it, but to make better use of it.

Suddenly, our church was filled with activity, sometimes for 24 hours, as people slept in the multi-purpose room at night, and met for a youth café in the evening and daycare during the day.

When the Army bought our current building from another long-standing church in the community, we moved in quietly and tried not to make much noise. We wanted to respect the neighbours and not become a nuisance. Then one day a neighbour complained, asking why the church bells weren’t being rung anymore. Even those who didn’t attend church wanted to hear the bells. Now, we ring the bells every Sunday morning to announce that the people of God are gathering.

With a building as architecturally “church-like” as ours, it’s no surprise that people also drop by every Sunday morning to see 14 I January 2010 I Salvationist

what church is all about. They can hear the music playing, they can hear the bells, but the building itself is also unmistakably a church. Many visitors seek prayer or physical help, and some have stayed and become part of our congregation.

Last summer we hosted a community block party where 200 neighbours enjoyed live music, food and fun. Many asked for a tour of our sanctuary. They were curious about what took place inside our building. Just last week yet another of those neighbours joined us for corporate worship.

The cry to stop spending money on church properties comes from many sides. And truthfully, I used to be one of those voices.

But when we start seeing our buildings as community assets lent to us by God in order to bless others, the investment in maintenance seems a small price to pay.

In the last year, our congregation has grown substantially. Of course, we can’t take credit for what God does in the hearts of his people, but much of that growth has been because of how we have used our building. Some people have walked by and

POINT COUNTERPOINT been curious; others have asked for rental space; some have slept on the floor to escape the cold. Now they are part of our congregation.

As we move forward as an Army in this city, we plan to continue to use our building to the fullest capacity. In the next month, for example, we are hosting a Christian conference and a major rock concert, partnering with another community organization to help mothers struggling with addictions, and will again house those with no home on the coldest nights. I thank God that those who have gone before us did not sell our building in the midst of tough times. Much of what we do now simply could not happen had we sold the property.

Every Salvation Army-owned building around the world bears the words “dedicated to the glory of God.” In the moment of dedication, a song is often song. Here is one verse that defines how we must continue to use our buildings to the glory of God: Here may the lost find refuge, The striving saint find grace; Let youth obey your calling And children see your face; May every word here spoken Direct men to your throne, And every note of music Be for your praise alone.

(SASB 943) Lieutenant Peter Lublink is the corps officer at High Point Community Church in Victoria. Visit www.pointful.ca

No, buildings are too expensive. The church must go where the people are.

BY MAJOR BOB ARMSTRONG Admittedly there are days when I am tired or the weather is so miserable that I entertain the thought of having a church building. But these thoughts are short-lived. For three years, The Willows has operated as a portable community church out of a local school. Our weekly routine has consisted of picking up the 24-foot trailer that holds all of our worship gear and driving it to the school, unloading it and setting up in the gym, packing up again and loading the gear back in the trailer, and returning it to its parking spot. Believe me, I understand the disadvantages of not having a church building. However, I would also argue that not having a fixed roof over our heads has plenty of advantages.

Allow me to pose a few questions.

Is a church building the best value for our dollar? One statistical review suggests that the typical church building absorbs 40-60 percent of the annual budget. Who can carry the cost of a building these days? Just think of the money you could put toward additional staff to improve the quality of programs or broaden the ministry base, including missions and outreach to the disenfranchised. Not having to pay for utilities, maintenance staff, supplies or a new roof can be liberating.

Is a church building the best way to build community within? The church is not about a building, it’s about people.

Although miserable weather may dampen our excitement from time to time, setting up and packing up for church each week clearly builds community. Many hands participate, giving people a sense of ownership and pride in what we do.

Community is also built because we are forced to meet in homes for Bible studies, movie nights, youth groups and other social events. In our case, we have also been given free access to a refurbished barn where we hold events too big for our homes and too small to require the rental of another facility.

In some churches, the building becomes a symbol of financial and managerial success. However, our school experience has been a time of spiritual blessing. When moving into a new facility, congregations risk losing something valuable. People’s roles change.

Some give to the building fund with strings attached and are upset when what they had hoped for doesn’t materialize. Others feel their financial contribution should entitle them to more say in the church. Bricks and mortar start to come between us.

Is a church building the best way to connect with the outside community? Because our philosophy of church is much broader than Sunday morning services, we consider Saturday night bowling, for example, as part of church. This philosophy of ministry has led us to hold community events on community territory. This gives people direct exposure to our church. Meeting in a local school is also less threatening for those who, for whatever reason, may not feel comfortable in a church building.

Our associate pastor runs soccer camps on the school grounds, which exposes our faith community to the public. The school principal has asked us to organize extracurricular activities for a specific age group that she is concerned about. And the Parents’ Advisory Council requested our help serving food at the school’s sports day. Regular contact with the school builds relationships between teachers, students and their parents.

These days, many churches are renting their buildings to outside groups to offset maintenance expenses. In the past, my strategy for renting the church building to outside groups was the same as the grocery-store owners—strategically put the milk in the back corner of the store so people are tempted to buy other items as they walk by. I hoped people using the church building would see the bulletin boards, pick up our advertisements and decide to check us out.

But what if we reversed this strategy? What if we didn’t have the concerns of paying for upkeep? What if we didn’t have to shoulder the responsibility of having to be a landlord in order to finance the church? What if we went into our community’s territory with the hope that our witness would encourage them to join our faith community? This idea almost sounds like the Early Church. They went where the people were.

A Bigger Question: When we first searched for a facility for our new church plant to meet in, we realized there were none.

Every school in our city already had a church in it. Today the cost of land and building a facility is so high that it’s not even on our radar. But cost is not the only reason we do not have a church building. You can’t beat being smack dab in the middle of a residential area where families walk to church, pushing their children in strollers. I think there is a bigger question that we need to ask: If the doors of our church suddenly closed, would the community know we were gone?

Major Bob Armstrong is the corps officer at The Willows—A Community Church of The Salvation Army in Langley, B.C. Salvationist I January 2010 I 15

MINISTRY IN ACTION

Army in the Streets

The 614 Hochelaga-Maisonneuve church plant brings a Salvation Army presence to Montreal’s inner city

BY KEN RAMSTEAD, EDITOR OF FAITH & FRIENDS AND FOI &VIE

S

oon after she arrived in Montreal’s Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood, Captain Rachele Lamont was walking down the street with some friends when a passing motorist leaned out the window and started honking his horn.

“He was gesturing rapidly and talking so quickly, we couldn’t make out what he was saying at first,” says Captain Lamont, “but when we listened closely, we heard him say, ‘Salvation Army, we love you here!

It’s good to have you back.’

“That was an affirmation for us,” she believes. “We are wanted.”

Journey to Quebec While in training college, Captain Lamont and her husband, Captain Jean-Curtis Plante, travelled to Montreal on their winter assignment to explore the possibility of a church plant. After a four-year appointment to Melfort, Sask., their hearts turned again to “la belle province.”

“By our third year in Melfort, we’d accomplished what we had set out to do,” says Captain Plante. “When Army leadership asked us about the next opportunity, we pointed to Quebec.” Their proposal was accepted and in September 2008, they found themselves in HochelagaMaisonneuve, an inner-city neighbourhood of Montreal.

Originally, their efforts had been split between their duties as divisional youth leaders and overseeing the church plant,

16 I January 2010 I Salvationist

but now Captain Plante is working fulltime as the divisional youth secretary so that Captain Lamont can focus solely on the church plant.

Three-Pronged Approach Captain Lamont is concentrating on three areas: • Meeting with the organizations that are already active in HochelagaMaisonneuve to determine where the Army can partner.

• Building up a local Quebecois leadership team. Already two young women have joined Captain Lamont, and others have expressed a desire to help.

• Connecting with the community.

Captain Lamont wants to become as familiar to the people of HochelagaMaisonneuve as their local convenience store owner. “That involves just hanging out, going door-to-door and getting to know people in the neighbourhood,” says Captain Lamont.

“God will provide opportunities to speak about him, but he’ll also show himself through how we live.”

Back in the Neighbourhood Reaction to the church plant has been positive, especially as there was an Army presence in the neighbourhood a couple of decades ago. “People are thrilled to see us in our uniforms,” says Captain Lamont.

Recently, The Salvation Army hosted

Captains Jean-Curtis Plante and Rachele Lamont

two community parties in a local park, complete with music, games, face-painting and a barbecue. Nearly 200 people showed up, including families with young children.

At the second event, a young man came up to Captain Lamont. “I don’t remember the last time someone spoke to me,” he told her. “Thank you for doing this.”

“That brought tears to my eyes,” she recounts. “We’re making a difference.”

Looking Ahead Future plans for 614 HochelagaMaisonneuve include finding a home base for their church, but for the moment, Captains Lamont and Plante are bringing the church to the people.

“We want to create a community of God here,” says Captain Lamont, “a place where people feel loved and accepted. There are many people that live in isolation, surrounded by crime, drugs and poverty.

We want to create a place where people belong. And we want God to be the centre.”

Below: A 614 community barbecue and a backpacks-for-kids campaign

The Heart of a Child Exploring new opportunities to reach young people for Christ

BY MAJOR MAX STURGE, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

W

ith many Sunday schools in decline, a number of denominations, including The Salvation Army, have taken a new approach to attracting and nurturing children. Some have moved Sunday school to a week night, while others are using new programs such as Pioneer Clubs or sports ministry.

“Our children’s ministries should be an open door to the community,” says Major Denise Walker, territorial children and family ministries secretary. “In the heart

of a child, God sees the potential heart of the adult to come.

“Whether it’s sports, music or an afterschool program, our purpose should primarily be to build relationships with the children and their families,” continues Major Walker. “Then, at some point, we share our faith, with the expected result of children (and parents) committing their lives to Christ and moving into a discipleship program.”

Major Walker envisions a discipleship

program that features weekly classroom instruction (including a media component), one-on-one mentoring, group and individual mission projects and daily web-based home instruction (with the opportunity for parents to be involved).

“We cannot abandon children to the world,” says General Shaw Clifton, international leader of the Army. “We are called to win them for Christ.” Here are some of the innovative programs operating in the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Sing and Make Music at Baby Song Baby Song is a community outreach program that teaches parents songs to facilitate language development and interaction with their babies. It enhances bonding between parents and children through voice and touch, offers parents the opportunity to network with other families, provides a supportive atmosphere and enables the corps to build bridges into the community.

At Toronto’s Etobicoke Temple, the program averages eight to 12 participants and runs in the fall and spring. Each meeting begins with songs and rhymes, followed by a snack and socializing.

The second half features community speakers presenting relevant topics such as basic infant first aid, travelling with children, feed-

ing and nutrition, home fire safety, pre- and post-delivery back care, and baby faith.

A favourite workshop is the salsa babies’ demonstration, where new moms learn basic steps to popular Latin dances, while babies shake maracas and bounce along to the salsa beat.

“Several families have begun attending our church as a result of their involvement in our program,” says Jennifer Khan, program co-ordinator. “Through e-mail, phone contact and get-togethers outside of program times, we have built meaningful relationships with those who attend our program. This has also allowed us to support the mothers through various difficult life events.”

Left: Happy babies and smiling moms. Above: Sabrina Simonelli sings to baby Grace Salvationist I January 2010 I 17

Community Impact at Cascade Every children’s program at Cascade Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C., has a special purpose and different impact. With 35-40 children, the Sunday school seeks to build a core group of children with a stronger faith in God. “The Sunday school helps to retain families and builds relationships among the children, teachers and adults of the congregation,” says Corrie Franson, Cascade’s children and family ministry co-ordinator.

“Its success is measured by the growth of the children’s faith—bringing their Bibles, their tithe and their friends. Discipleship is implemented annually when junior soldier classes are offered.”

The Pioneer Clubs program is Cascade’s outreach to the community, a mid-week

alternative to Sunday school.

Pioneer Clubs provides Biblebased, relationship-focused and fun-oriented learning activities for children and volunteer leaders.

With its life-skills development and evangelistic focus, the program brings in new families and is an opportunity for the congregation to invite their friends.

Vacation Bible school is another activity that strives to promote Children learn through puppets at vacation Bible school Cascade as a vibrant church in the community. As an outreach-based program community. for building a faith foundation in children, “Through re-evaluating these programs,” VBS has a huge impact with a number of says Franson, “we realized we can improve decisions made for Christ each year. It also their effectiveness by focusing more on the develops connections with families in the involvement of the whole family.”

Entering the KidzOwn in Lethbridge What do you do when fewer and fewer children attend Sunday morning Sunday school? At the Community Church of Lethbridge, Alta., they decided to inject some pizzazz into their children’s programming. KidzOwn was adopted in the fall of 2007 for children six to 12.

In addition to worship, Scripture memorization and Bible lessons, games, sports, snacks and prizes are offered kids’-church style on Tuesday nights. Participation has tripled from 10 to

30 children. Van pickups have encouraged parents on limited incomes or who have no transportation to allow their children to come. Children who passed the 12-year-old age limit but wanted to keep coming were given leadership roles: planning games, supervising the younger children and taking part in skits during the Bible lesson.

“We are excited about KidzOwn and call it our second congregation,” says Major Edith Beveridge, corps officer. “Every few months we hold family events where the parents and other siblings, many who have no church experience, are attending in a non-threatening atmosphere—either in a public park for a barbecue or in the church gym. This has helped in a crucial way—building rapport with the whole family, some of whom now attend special youth services on Sunday mornings with their children taking part. Although it takes time for trust to develop, we look forward to what God is going to do in these families and particularly in the children who have accepted Christ.”

Jumping for joy at Lethbridge KidzOwn

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Mid-week Program CLICKs in Glace Bay

Children Learning in Christ’s Kingdom (CLICK) is a new ministry at the corps in Glace Bay, N.S., that averages 65-70 children on Tuesday evenings.

Many of these young people are new to the corps.

“God gave us this vision through prayer,” says Captain Kristian Simms, corps officer. The format is a modification of the traditional Sunday school. The

14 leaders gather the children into the sanctuary and then divide them into two age groups. “After a worship time when the kids can pray, sing and dance to the Lord, they learn a weekly Bible verse,” says Captain Simms. Meanwhile, the other age group is downstairs either playing interactive games or doing a craft, and then the groups switch places. There is also a fun theme such as wacky-hair night

and crazy-hat night. Each evening ends with a snack.

“The main objective of this group is to teach the truths of God’s Word in an exciting way,” says Captain Simms. “For children who do not already have a church home, this can be a bridge to connect them and their families to The Salvation Army.”

Pioneering a Revival at Bishop’s Falls The competition for children’s time is a huge challenge “As most of the families do not normally come to church,” for most corps. “With sometimes only five children at Sunday says Major Feltham, “we have a potluck lunch following the school, we realized that it was no longer appealing for our chilservice so that we have the opportunity to get to know them dren,” says Major Don Feltham, corps officer, Bishop’s Falls, better and to encourage them to feel more comfortable as part N.L. “Community activities such as figure skating and hockey of our corps family.” were taking priority.”

The leadership team at Bishop’s Falls found it difficult to drop Sunday school, but eventually realized that the Pioneer Clubs program had the potential to revive the corps’ ministry to children and their families. After several parent information sessions about Pioneers Clubs and then soliciting the prayers of members of the congregation, there was a tremendous response to the request for parent volunteers. “We previously struggled to maintain a leadership team of four for Sunday school, but we now have 25 leaders and an enrolment of 67 children,” says Major Feltham. “Our program starts at age four and concludes at age 13. Those over 13 are trained as junior leaders.”

With the curriculum of learning wilderness skills, sewing, baking, acting and videography, games and sports, the Pioneer Club is a hit in Bishop’s Falls. In addition, the children are awarded badges for their 20-minute Bible lessons once a month in Sunday morning worship.

Pioneer Club Pathfinders at Bishop’s Falls Salvationist I January 2010 I 19

The Army Behind the Army New National Advisory Board offers strategic guidance and support

Members of the National Advisory Board (not all pictured) at Toronto’s Harbour Light

W

hat do Scotiabank, Manulife Financial, Procter & Gamble, McCain Foods and Telus all have in common? In addition to being large corporations with a national and international reach, each company has a senior executive presently serving on The Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board (NAB). This board was recently established and includes 13 business and civic leaders (see right). The NAB will support The Salvation Army with strategic guidance on the organization’s national operations and services.

“The National Advisory Board provides an opportunity for The Salvation Army to benefit from some of the brightest minds in business and community engagement,” says Commissioner William W. Francis, territorial commander. “These members demonstrate unique abilities in their fields, and they will work with us so that we can better help the millions of Canadians we serve each year.”

Members of the NAB will offer recommendations to organization leaders on a number of areas, including The Salvation Army’s national strategy and development program and its periodic review of business practices and systems. The Salvation Army has outlined three primary focus areas that the NAB will address in the coming months and years. These areas include: improvements to the organization’s operational efficiency and effectiveness; continued 20 I January 2010 I Salvationist

development of benchmarks and bestpractice standards for service; and the development of supportive relationships between public and private partners.

“Every year more than 1.5 million Canadians are directly helped through the compassionate work of The Salvation Army,” said Andrew Lennox, senior vice president, Scotiabank, and National Advisory Board chair. “The members of the board are pleased to lend their expertise in supporting the wide range of social services provided by the Army.”

Salvation Army officers serving on the NAB include Commissioner William Francis; Colonel Donald Copple, chief secretary; Lt-Colonel Sandra Rice, secretary for personnel; Lt-Colonel David Hiscock, secretary for program; Lt-Colonel Neil Watt, secretary for business administration; Lt-Colonel Floyd Tidd, divisional commander for Ontario Central-East Division; and Major Jim Champ, who serves as liaison officer to the board.

An inaugural dinner was held November 12, 2009, at Toronto’s Scotia Plaza, where Commissioner William Francis publicly acknowledged the commitment of each member to serve on the board.

The following day, the NAB met again at Scotia Plaza and heard from Robert Barnard, founder of DECODE, who offered a presentation on the traits and characteristics of the different generations (i.e.

Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y, with special

emphasis on the Millennial Generation, ages 20-35).

Colonel Donald Copple provided an overview of The Salvation Army. Key points raised for discussion included fundraising methods, sustainability challenges with funding and personnel, strategic positioning, delegation of authority, centralized versus regionalized governance, diversity versus specialization in programs, and strategic planning processes.

The main objective of the chief secretary’s presentation was to build board awareness of the Army, its operations and the key challenges facing senior leadership.

Six “burning questions” were presented to the board: 1. Personnel: How do we maximize governance of an Army led by officers and employees?

2. Property: How do we come to terms with aging infrastructure? How do we deal with the transition from ownership to leasing?

3. Development: How do we increase our market share of government funding? How do we raise the bar with our Red Shield Appeal?

4. Rural Ministry: How can we position local ministry units—many of them rural—in a positive manner with respect to government and local funders?

5. Fiscal Responsibility: How do we address the challenge of funding direct programs and services when 40 percent of our ministry units are presently experiencing deficits?

6. Communications: How can we transition successfully to the electronic media age?

In the discussions that followed, board members demonstrated their support of all aspects of the Army’s ministries, including social services and church growth. The board then adjourned to Toronto’s Harbour Light for a tour of the new facilities.

The NAB will meet three times a year.

The next meeting is scheduled for January 21-22, 2010.

Community Engagement

Andrew Lennox, Chair

The Salvation Army benefits from volunteers who give freely of their time and talents to contribute to our mission. In this territory, a conservative estimate places the number of volunteers at 75,000. They come from all walks of life and their contributions to the ongoing work and mission of the Army is essential to our success. One opportunity for volunteerism has been citizens’ advisory groups, which have been operating at local and national levels for more than 80 years.

In November 2009, Commissioner William W. Francis welcomed 13 charter members to the National Advisory Board. The first territorial board was established in 1939 at the commencement of the Second World War with a mandate to assist the Army with funding and practical support of both its war services and home-front programs. Local advisory boards have operated in various parts of the territory since the 1920s.

The names of those who served as members of these early-day boards represent a virtual who’s who of influential Canadians, including the Rt. Hon. Arthur Meighen, former prime minister of Canada; Air Marshall W.S. (Billy) Bishop; Sir Edward Beatty, chair of the Canadian Pacific Railroad; Hon. W.C. Woodward, founder of Woodward Department Stores, Vancouver; and the Hon. Frank Ross, former lieutenant-governor of British Columbia.

Since those early years, two territorial boards have briefly operated, primarily in a consultative role— the Territorial Advisory Board and the Commissioner’s Consultative Council. The newly established NAB, however, will offer advice and recommendations that will be addressed by the territorial Cabinet. The NAB is comprised of influential Canadians who lend their time and abilities to assist The Salvation Army in fulfilling its mission to the vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens of our communities. The wise counsel and generous support of advisory board members contribute significantly to the honoured reputation that is held today

by The Salvation Army as Canada’s largest non-government provider of social services.

Andrew Lennox has served as a senior vice president of Scotiabank since 1989 with responsibility for the bank’s domestic and international real estate activities. He heads up a department that provides leasing, design and construction and strategic planning services for

2,700 branches and offices in 55 countries.

Raised in Toronto, Lennox graduated from the University of Windsor in 1971 and in 1973 received his master of business administration from York University. He is a long-time friend of the Army. He has served on the board of the Toronto Grace Health Centre and is the chair of the Ontario Central-East Divisional Advisory Board. He is married to Alexandra. They have three daughters, Stephanie, Tamara and Chloe.

SUZANNE B. HERBERT

National Advisory Board Members

Deputy Minister, Province of Ontario (Community & Social Services, Education, Northern Development & Mines), Retired, Toronto

WILLIAM W. FRANCIS Commissioner Territorial Commander The Salvation Army, Toronto

ROBERT McFARLANE Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer TELUS Corporation, Vancouver

RON SAPSFORD STEPHEN BODLEY Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, North America Direct Energy, Toronto

Former Deputy Minister of Health & Long-Term Care for the Province of Ontario, Toronto

CALVIN H. BUSS Canadian Managing Partner, Client Excellence Deloitte & Touche LLP, Toronto

PINA SCIARRA

GAIL COOK-BENNETT

MARNIE A. SPEARS

Chair of the Board Manulife Financial Corporation, Toronto

President & Chief Executive Officer Ketchum Canada Inc., Toronto

Vice President, Marketing ConAgra Foods Canada Inc., Mississauga, Ont.

SUSAN DONIZ Executive Officer, CIO & Global Business Service Officer Procter & Gamble Inc., Toronto

BRUCE V. WALTER Vice Chair Centerra Gold Inc., Toronto

ANDREW GRENVILLE

JANICE M. WISMER

Chief Research Officer Vision Critical/Angus Reid Strategies, Toronto

Chief Human Resources Officer McCain Foods Limited, Toronto Salvationist I January 2010 I 21

Open-Air Meeting, Mower Martin

CLARION CALL

Our Future Lies in Our Past

When we reflect on our roots, we may discover that we’ve been transplanted

by Major Fred Ash

D

uring the collapse of the East Coast fishery, a reporter interviewed an old Newfoundland fisherman and asked him what he thought about the future of the fishery. With the wisdom of Solomon and the wit of Stephen Leacock, the old fisherman replied, “The future of the fishery is a thing of the past.”

There are some who would say the same of The Salvation Army. And it is hard not to disagree. In a little more than a decade, all the great Salvation Army hospitals in this country were handed over to government. Two historic training colleges closed and the properties were sold.

Hallowed campgrounds were disposed of.

Many corps closed, with their properties converted (or backslidden) to garages and 22 I January 2010 I Salvationist

warehouses. And there are fewer cadets than ever in training.

Yes, it is easy to say that our future is a thing of the past. But our past also has much to teach us.

When William Booth started The Salvation Army it was a Christian mission. In fact, that is what he called it—The Christian Mission. It was the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of its day. The aim of the mission was to “go for souls and go for the worst.” The missioners saw nothing greater than saving souls.

Then the mission morphed into an army. “Salvation was their motto. Salvation was their song. And ’round the wide, wide world they sent the cry along.” The Salvation Army saved the drunkards from

their drink, the criminals from the prisons and girls from the streets by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, complete with repentance and holiness. And for their soul-saving, evangelistic work they were often ridiculed and persecuted.

But along with the spiritual work, the Army applied the social gospel. The Army was the World Vision of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. And the more the Army got involved in social work, the more it was praised. We gained quite a reputation for ourselves as a humanitarian organization.

And it was at this point, so very subtly as to be unnoticed, that the Army began to change yet again. We became a quasi Red Cross. In fact, we adopted similar

vocabulary and invented the Red Shield.

Doing good deeds gained us favour with the people. No one would argue against an organization that did so much good.

Governments gave us grants. People poured money into our coffers. Donors stuffed envelopes with cheques and mailed them to us. Humanitarian work was profitable. Much more profitable than spiritual work.

Not many would give us money to preach against sin or support us to proclaim that Jesus saves—and Jesus alone.

Only a faithful few would stuff a church offering envelope and put it in the collection plate every Sunday. Certainly not governments or big corporate donors.

Our social programs grew at the expense of our spiritual ones. And so we find ourselves today on the brink of morphing into another YMCA, which began in 1844 as another Christian mission to the young men of London, England, “to substitute Bible study and prayer for life on the streets,” but is now a world-class

humanitarian organization with little or no Christian message.

Humanitarian work is good but that is not our calling as The Salvation Army.

Our work is first and foremost spiritual.

In the Early Church when some widows needed food, they approached the Apostles for help. Peter’s reply was, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the Word of God in order to wait on tables” (Acts 6:2). If we cannot take the message of Christ with us when we serve tables and distribute food, provide shelter and give away furniture, then we have left our first love.

The Ss on Salvation Army uniforms used to mean “Saved to Save.” It was a statement of early Salvationists’ faith that they were saved so that they could lead others to salvation. They testified of the saving grace of God that came to them when the blood of Christ was applied to their hearts and their sins were washed away. “Saved to Save” is an evangelistic testimony from the heart of a Christian

Enriching the Army World Chief of the Staff and World Secretary for Women’s Ministries appointed by the General Following extensive consultation with senior Salvation Army leaders, both at International Headquarters and further afield, General Shaw Clifton has appointed Commissioners Barry and Sue Swanson respectively as Chief of the Staff and World Secretary for Women’s Ministries. These appointments are effective from Saturday, May 1, 2010.

Commissioners Swanson are officers of the U.S.A. Central Territory, currently serving as territorial leaders of that territory.

Commissioner Barry Swanson takes up his appointment as Chief of the Staff in succession to Commissioner Robin Dunster who, at the time of her retirement in May 2010, will have served as Chief of the Staff for four years, and as a Salvation Army officer for 40 years.

Commissioner Sue Swanson takes up her responsibilities as World Secretary for Women’s Ministries in succession to Commissioner Lyn Pearce, who will enter retirement.

Commissioners Swanson have a commendable record of commitment to Salvation Army service and ministry, and their contribution on the international scene will enrich the Army world and, thereby, the cause of Christ.

believer. Now we often refer to the slogan as “Saved to Serve.”

If my mission is simply humanitarian, then it makes no difference whether or not I am instrumental in saving anyone’s soul.

I can give a man a good, used coat, a hot bowl of soup and a warm bed for a few weeks, then send him on his way. I have fulfilled my mission. I have served. The man may be back again next year and I will have the privilege of serving him again and again and again.

If my mission is to save, then I will not be satisfied until I have put a new man in that old coat, until his heart is as warm with the Spirit as his belly is with the soup, until he eventually falls asleep in Jesus.

Our future is not a thing of the past, but the key to our future success lies there.

You’ll find it at Mile End Waste, London, England, 1865.

Major Fred Ash is the corps officer at Burlington Community Church, Ont.

An Invitation to Kingston Citadel’s Opening & Dedication Weekend of our new church home

816 Centennial Drive (at Taylor-Kidd Blvd.) with Commissioners William & Marilyn Francis SAturdAy JAnuAry 16, 2010

11:00 a.m. Ribbon Cutting followed by an ‘Open House’ until 2:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m. Celebration Banquet (call 613.548.1600 for tickets) 7:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Concert with North York Temple Band (freewill offering) please contact citadel@kingstonsa.ca SundAy JAnuAry 17, 2010 for more information 10:30 a.m. Praise Service

Majors Woody and Sharon Hale invite you to join them for a

16-day PILGRIMAGE in the Lands of the Bible

Tour Istanbul and Ephesus in Turkey Cruise to the Greek Islands ● Visit Greece Visit Israel for 9 days

October 19 – November 3, 2010 Web: creativeventures.ca E-mail: wshale@sympatico.ca Phone: 905-440-4378

Salvationist I January 2010 I 23

Stained Glass Urbanism Churches must “think different” about their relationship to cities

BY ROBERT JOUSTRA

Y

ou take nice, good-natured, welcoming people and throw them into a town hall meeting, and they’ll tear each other’s eyes out.” The director of a downtown Salvation Army ministry was just warming up, telling me about some of the challenges of his day-to-day work. He had stories about Ivy League professors, lawyers and even pastors campaigning against the operations of The Salvation Army. The Army’s crime? They’d started operations in a nice part of town. There goes the neighbourhood!

The Salvation Army director taught me that professionals—whose self-described vocations were to help those in need, to teach, to mentor and to promote law and justice—fall victim to the NIMBY (“not in my backyard”) syndrome, just like everyone else. We rarely like taking our own medi24 I January 2010 I Salvationist

cine, and these folks were no different. No level of governance is as open or intimate as municipal consultations. Do we design a park like this, or like that? Do we allow this re-zoning or that re-zoning, and how exactly do we deal with all those different colours of garage doors on Elm Street?

Municipal consultations are the church hockey league of politics. You’ll never believe what your neighbours are capable of saying and doing in those settings.

Our cities are repositories of our deep passions because they are a microcosm of our shared life together. Cities don’t have the grand politics of war and peace, the high-rolling international trade treaties or the silver-tongued, sharply dressed diplomats, but they embody stories about common life that big-time national and international politics don’t tell. I once had

a pastor say to me, “Show me your bedroom, and I’ll show you who you are.”

Similarly, I suggest, take me to your cities, your local places where you live out your everyday social reflexes, and I’ll show you who you are.

Over my years of running Cardus’ Stained Glass Urbanism Project (see box on page 25), I’ve come across a variety of perspectives and opinions on how people of faith—particularly Christians—can or should think about and interact with cities. I offer six common, internalized and therefore often unspoken assumptions about religion and the modern metropolis.

These are not philosophical blockbusters or high-level policy problems, but they do point to revealing social and cultural assumptions that are in dire need of fresh imagination.

Assumption 1: Cities = Politics.

Reply: Sort of, but it really depends on how you define “city.” Too often we associate “cities” with the politics of “the City,” as though our municipal administrators retain comprehensive responsibility for the entire variety of activities that take place within its jurisdictional boundaries.

The city as a network of differentiated communities contains a whole variety of authorities and institutions—often labelled under the nebulous term civil society— which contribute vitally to urban growth and revitalization. The City as a political body must occasionally adjudicate how these different communities can and should relate to each other, but it is not responsible for cultivating an exquisite arts community or a flourishing non-profit sector. Governments can pass family-friendly tax laws, but they should not try to legislate how many children people have. It may pass laws and provide incentives to facilitate certain things, but politics—even municipal politics—cannot and should not be all things to all people.

Assumption 2: Cities are the new mission ground of North America.

Reply: Yes, but cities are not simply a big conglomerate of the “unreached.” If our urban activities as people of faith are consistently predicated on conversion, we will quickly become very bad neighbours.

I think of this as a kind of spiritual narcissism, which grows out of an interior insecurity about our own faith and life.

Our exclusive goal becomes the conversion of the other—not out of love of our neighbour, but because our worldview cannot cope with any kind of fundamental diversity.

Cities are more than just political jurisdictions, and they are also more than just mission fields. The faithful Christian life is about more than conversion, as the Westminster Catechism usefully reminds us. The chief end of man is to “worship God, and to enjoy him forever,” and the chief end of human beings in the city is surely no different. City life for the thinking Christian is about more than proselytization. In fact, as missiologist Mike Goheen argues, the Great Commission is better translated: as you are going, make disciples of all nations. Sharing the gospel story and its message of salvation with our neighbours is not the exclusive focus of human life in the city, but rather an internal reflex we live out in all areas of life.

Thus we learn to live and share the gospel story in ways that far exceed a simple

dualistic mission—we start to think of worshipping God and honouring him by building efficient transit, planning public spaces for social networking, putting a splash of colour here and there, and facilitating public artwork to cultivate the playful and imaginative joy of the human spirit created imago Dei. Sadly, we truncate the gospel when we pursue conversion and proselytization as the exclusive goals of the Christian calling.

Instead, the gospel in the urban metropolis calls us forth into all the manifold spheres of city life, to enact justice, sustain and cultivate beauty and become “the glory of God; human beings fully alive”—to quote Irenaeus.

Assumption 3: We must keep church and state separate.

Reply: Absolutely. Separation of church and state is an imperative founding principle of the American and Canadian political systems. In this context, separation of church and state means that the state doesn’t endorse or privilege one religion over another; it is, at least ostensibly, a neutral space in which different perspectives, religious and otherwise, contest, debate and decide on the appropriate dispensation of justice.

This does not mean that religion is inadmissible in public debate, and it certainly doesn’t mean religion should be marginalized. Author and former U.S. diplomat Thomas Farr goes so far as to argue that the Constitution of the United States, in explicitly protecting freedom of religion, is implicitly suggesting that religion itself is a public good—one for

What is Cardus?

Cardus is a North American public policy think tank, equipping change agents with best theories and practices of public life to renew North American social architecture.

Cardus thinks it is time for neighbours in finance, municipal politics, trade policy and the pastorhood to connect. Stained Glass Urbanism is a Cardus research project that actively works to facilitate these types of connections. Cardus’ vision is a sustained, long-term project that will connect people of faith with people of government, help institutions to understand what makes good cities, and to facilitate discussion bringing better city living, planning and governance together.

which the state should safeguard a place in a democratic society.

Following this logic, it is worth considering that the separation of church and state was never meant to indicate a chasm of dialogue or the cultivation of religious illiteracy, even though we often uncover both of these errors in municipal bureaucracies. Like business, religion is not within City governments’ competency to specifically endorse, but it is in the cities’—and therefore the City’s—best interest to provide the conditions within which business and religion, in general, may flourish.

Assumption 4: Working with government corrupts churches.

Reply: Sure, and hanging out socially with non-Christians corrupts Christians.

Avoiding non-Christians is not only theologically silly, but socially and politically destructive; this assumption is a corollary of the separation between church and state argument from the other side of the fence.

Throughout my research at Cardus, I have found that this fear in churches, as in people, is linked to identity. Almost every church in a downtown area has struggled with it. Do we join a meals-on-wheels program? Do we open food banks or shelters? In the midst of pressing need, how do we prevent our church from losing its integrity and becoming just another non-governmental social service agency?

Government programs are often the only financially sustainable way to cultivate a service agenda, but participation in them spirals into further identity conflicts about In 2005, Cardus published a paper entitled Living on the Streets: The Role of the Church in Urban Renewal, focusing on Hamilton, Ont. This was followed up in 2007 with the publication of an investigative report entitled Toronto the Good.

The next step in this “conversation” between the church and the city was a mini-conference held in Toronto from November 6-7, 2009, entitled Think Different: Live Chat on Urban Faith Communities. In partnership with World Vision as co-sponsors and The Canadian Urban Institute in support, Think Different was held at St. Paul’s Bloor Street Church.

Major Geoff Ryan, corps officer at Toronto’s Corps 614, is a research fellow with Cardus.

Salvationist I January 2010 I 25

public service, confessional language and proselytization. The price tag on government money for most orthodox Christian churches is just too high.

It doesn’t need to be. Working with governments—in any way—doesn’t have to corrupt churches, water down their mission or turn their confessions insipid. Yes, government works with its own public, and at times secularist, agenda, one which may inhibit traditional proselytization. But surely a community consistently nurtured and rooted in a historical tradition of confession can retain a strong identity, in the midst of co-operation and conversation with those who believe differently, and perhaps those we even perceive as being directly at odds with us?

The Church is far more than a social service agency; nevertheless, the toxicity of government cheques or public moneys is exaggerated. When government money occasionally comes tied to expectations that overstep the legitimate authority of government, a church community with a strong, confessional identity should be able to wisely discern and decline; however, where the institutional church’s own sphere of activity genuinely overlaps and interrelates with the government’s, engagement is essential.

Assumption 5: Cities = $.

Reply: Often true. Cities, just like the rest of society, tend to uncritically ride the money train. Corporations and developers, responding to supply and (occasionally artificially stimulated) demand, are the ones who effectively build the social and physical infrastructure of our cities. It is important to refrain from demonizing the urban economic process, recognizing that city politicians are not weak-kneed opportunists incapable of tough action, urban developers are not heartless capitalists eager to undermine human scale community and the average consumer is not a mindless cog in the capitalist machine, out to buy his or her way into an ultimately satisfying identity. These are unfair caricatures that reveal more about our cynicism and apathy than they do about the cultural climate.

Assumption 6: We need action!

Reply: Ok, but we have been taking action, and it’s been a spectacular failure.

Evangelical Christians have mustered enormous political and social activism in the last decade, and seen incredible success in putting “their people” into the centre of power. But a sudden influx of evangelical 26 I January 2010 I Salvationist

people and money into the realm of politics hasn’t solved a great deal, because it’s not just about getting people into power or onto the streets to make change happen— it’s about the quality of those people, that change and the means used. Evangelicals agree we need people in power, but outside of hot-button social agendas, we’re not exactly sure why, or what being an evangelical has to do with, say, zoning by-laws or regional trade corridors.

In Cardus’ Toronto the Good project, I learned that unprepared, ill-considered activism is endemic to Christian urban engagement. In Toronto, faith groups— often those from outside the greater Toronto area—frequently undermine the efforts of city governments and experienced NGOs to alleviate street poverty and homelessness. Parachuting Bible-tractarmed adolescents with blankets, food stuffs and toiletries into an urban core creates far more problems than it solves.

The words that city managers and municipal administrators had for this kind of irresponsible and disconnected activism were not kind.

Conclusion For people who are supposed to have “reason at all times for the hope we have,” Christians tend to be curiously pessimistic about our villages and cities. We wash our hands of our markets and decry the consumerism of our neighbours. We complain that our city councils won’t hear religious perspectives, but privately avoid people who do not believe as we do. We may even completely excuse ourselves of a responsibility to the common good of our cities, consigning them to burn in the

fires of avarice, and hoping only to save a few worthy souls.

Our goals, when they are worthy, tend to overemphasize ends and underemphasize means, believing in an ultimate vindication through the righteousness of the cause. But our means matter. They may even be decisively important. Our “common sense” isn’t always right, and we—as church and as society—need space and time to rethink, research and rebuild better and more sophisticated and imaginative alternatives. Then our social, civil and municipal victories won’t be over the bodies of our neighbours, but will be hard-won success among religious and non-religious alike.

Robert Joustra is a researcher with Cardus and serves as an associate editor of Policy in Public.

He lectures in international politics at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ont.

Think Different captures in short, pithy snapshots the thoughts of front-line urban practitioners on religious communities in the modern metropolis.

It responds to a single and simple impulse: are urban religious communities problem solvers or trouble makers? It is available for purchase at go.cardus.ca/thinkdifferent

Celebrate Community

Enrolment and Recognition

POWELL RIVER, B.C.—The corps in Powell River welcomes 13 adherents. Front row, from left, Irene Osmond, Helen Bezanson, Gladys Chavingy, Kenda Noble, Barbara Feedham. Middle row, from left, Myrna Carty, Millie Lynskey, Sheila Stride, Marilyn Van Damme, Catherine Olsen, Lorelei Masters, Cpt Jennifer Robins, CO. Back row, from left, Jack Vlug, Howard Lowe, Cpt Bob Ford, CSM Al Bezanson, Cpt Rick Robins, CO

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MAN.—Margaret Oldford dedicates her son, Gavin Gerald Solomon, back to God. With them are big brother, Robert, and Cdt Jeff Arkell, CO

LINDSAY, ONT.—Eileen Carr displays the recognition plaque she received for her years of faithful service as a leader of the corps’ shepherding program, a pastoral care ministry within the congregation. With her are the new leader, Monique Black (seated), and the women of the shepherd group

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I.—Local officers receive their commissions. From left, Mjr Willis Drover, CO; Mjr Larry Martin, DC, Maritime Div; Myrna Ramsay, CT; Glenys Oxford, CSM; Mjr Velma Martin, DDWM, Maritime Div; Mjr Priscilla Drover, CO

Officer Retirement

Band of Brothers

Major William (Bill) Blackman felt called to be a Salvation Army officer while travelling as a salesman. He entered the Blood and Fire Session with his wife, Winn, and two-monthold daughter in 1971. After their commissioning in 1973, the Blackmans served five years in Maple Creek, Sask., where the corps experienced a spiritual revival. Then followed appointments to Prince Albert, Sask., South Windsor and Mississauga Temple Community Church, Ont., and Cariboo Hill Temple in Burnaby, B.C. As a corps officer, Bill encouraged the development of men’s groups and Promise Keepers as a way to get men on track with God and in a proper relationship with their families. In 1999, he was appointed as the divisional secretary for business administration for the former Manitoba and Northwest Ontario Division. Bill became the divisional commander of the then Saskatchewan Division in 2001, followed by leadership of the British Columbia Division in 2006, where he was the pastoral care officer in his final months of active service. Bill and Winn are blessed with children Cathy, Bill (Jr), Paul, Heather and their spouses, and eight grandchildren. Entering retirement, Bill is relying on the promise given to him in training, “I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13 NIV).

KINGSTON, ONT.—The Open Door Fellowship is a men’s Bible discussion group at Rideau Heights Community Church led by Salvationist Scott Pruden, chaplain of the Army’s Freedom Ministries. Participating in this very diverse fellowship are Salvation Army officers, other clergy, a pardoned offender, ex-offenders, a superior court judge and men of different faiths.

The fellowship welcomes men who have suffered great loss, who have paid their debt to society, those secure in their faith and others searching for answers to life’s difficult questions. “Men from such distinct backgrounds have helped make this study group successful,” says Pruden. “When the men walk through the door each week, they leave their past behind and see each other as individuals gathering for a common purpose—to learn how they can become stronger in their faith”

Salvationist I January 2010 I 27

Celebrate Community

Generous Donation

New Executive Leaders Appointed Lt-Colonels Floyd and Tracey Tidd, currently serving as divisional leaders in the Ontario Central-East Division, are appointed respectively as chief secretary and territorial secretary for women’s ministries of the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Promoted to the rank of colonel, they will take up their new responsibilities as of March 1. They succeed Colonels Donald and Ann Copple who will be retiring from active service.

Quarter-Century Partnership ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—The Rotary Club of Northwest Avalon has sponsored a fall door-to-door drive on behalf of The Salvation Army food bank in St. John’s for the past 25 years. This partnership includes high school students and staff of Prince of Wales Collegiate and media sponsor, The Telegram. One morning in October, 21,000 food items valued at $30,000-$40,000 were collected by more than 190 volunteers—40 Rotarians, 100 students and teachers, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary cadets and Salvation Army volunteers. “I took my nine-year-old son with me to canvass for a couple of hours,” says one teacher. “It sparked a very interesting discussion. My son is trying to understand why food isn’t free to everyone and why we need food banks”

CALENDAR

Commissioners Larry and Gillian Bosh (International Secretary for Americas and Caribbean) Jan 12 Ont. GL divisional visit; Jan 13 officers’ councils, London, Ont.; Jan 14 officers’ councils, Toronto; Jan 15 officers’ councils, Ottawa Commissioners William and Marilyn Francis Jan 8-11 125th anniversary of Brengle sanctification experience, Sharon, Mass.; Jan 14 officers’ councils, Toronto; Jan 15 officers’ councils, Ottawa; Jan 16-17 official opening and dedication of new building, Kingston Citadel, Ont; Jan 18-19 IHQ territorial review, THQ, Toronto; Jan 21-22 National Advisory Board, Toronto*; Jan 25-28 General’s Consultative Council, London, England** * Commissioner William Francis only ** Commissioner Marilyn Francis only Colonels Don and Ann Copple Jan 12 Ont. GL divisional visit; Jan 13 officers’ councils, London, Ont.; Jan 14 officers’ councils, 28 I January 2010 I Salvationist

TORONTO—The W. Garfield Weston Foundation donates $540,000 to help restock the shelves of Salvation Army food banks across Canada.

Twenty-five Salvation Army ministry units have been awarded grants to purchase food, introduce community kitchen programs and expand feeding programs for the poor and seniors on fixed incomes. The Weston family controls Loblaw Companies Limited, including the No Frills franchise. From left, Marcello Piane, district manager, Loblaws, Toronto; Garfield Mitchell, director, the W. Garfield Weston Foundation; Commissioner William W. Francis, territorial commander; and Col Donald Copple, chief secretary

Supporting the Army’s Ministries LONDON, ONT.— Michael Balderston, activity director at Trafalgar Terrace Retirement Residence, presents a cheque for $2,500 to Mjr Jean Birt, community care ministry secretary at London Citadel. The money was raised by Trafalgar Terrace staff, residents and their families through various projects and donations. London Citadel’s CCM group conducts chapel services at the residence throughout the year, and at Christmas, a brass-band combo plays carols as CCM members distribute the Christmas issue of Faith & Friends and a calendar to each resident. “The money will be a great help in providing gifts at Christmas to nine local and regional nursing homes and seniors’ residences” says Mjr Birt

Toronto; Jan 24 CFOT, Winnipeg

GAZETTE

Territorial Appointments Lt-Cols Floyd/Tracey Tidd, chief secretary and territorial secretary for women’s ministries, with the rank of colonel, effective Mar 1; Lt-Col Margaret Hiscock, assistant territorial secretary for women’s ministries, THQ women’s ministries (designation change); Mjr Sandra Hosken, executive assistant to the territorial commander, territorial executive department (designation change); Cpts Hannu/Gerry Lindholm, Kajaani Corps, Finland and Estonia Tty; Mjrs Howard/ Robyn Smartt, assistant secretary for personnel, officer development, and assistant secretary for personnel, professional standards office, Australia Eastern Tty; Cpt Denise Daigle, administrative assistant, pastoral services, Lakeview Manor, Riverview, N.B., Maritime Div; Cpt Heather Matondo, divisional children’s outreach minis-

tries co-ordinator, Ont. CE Div; Mjrs Gary/Sharon Cooper, Hamilton–Meadowlands, Ont. GL Div; Mjr Stephen Court, territorial mission development secretary, Australia Southern Tty; Mjrs Shane/Pauline Gruer-Caulfield, training officers, Palmanova, Palmanova Corps and Mallorca Corps, Palmanova (additional responsibility), Spain Command Retirements Mjr Audrey Durdle, out of Deer Lake, N.L. Last appointment: assistant executive director, Booth Residential Services, Saint John, N.B., Maritime Div; Mjr Judy Bishop, out of Clarke’s Beach, N.L. Births Mjr Stephen Court/Cpt Danielle Strickland, son Judah, Oct 15; Lts Peter/Amanda Robinson, daughter Chloe Brianne, Oct 28 Promoted to Glory Mjr Archie Peat, from White Rock, B.C., Oct 15; Mjr Sara Wheeler, from Paris, Ont., Oct 27; Envoy Douglas Hayward, from Stephenville, N.L., Nov 2

Celebrate Community

Laugh Out Loud

TRIBUTE

FLIN FLON, MAN.—The Prairie Division held a day retreat for women from Flin Flon, Thompson and Dauphin in northern Manitoba. The theme for the event was Women of Faith: Laugh Out Loud, and featured Mjr Verna Hynes, DDWM. The day included crafts, a spa and a workshop on hairstyling. “I enjoyed all the love, laughter and singing,” said Robyn Garrett, a participant at the retreat.

“It was wonderful”

GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L.—Major William Stoodley was born in Triton, N.L., in 1922, and married Ivy Vincent in 1945. They became officers in 1948 as members of the King’s Messengers Session. They served as corps officers throughout Newfoundland and had appointments with men’s social in St. John’s, N.L., Toronto and Vancouver, from which they retired in 1983. A loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, Bill is remembered by his wife, Ivy; daughters Judith and Janesta (Baxter); two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Annie Roberts; many relatives and friends. The family expresses appreciation to the surrounding corps and all who supported them with many acts of kindness.

Go Team!

TORONTO—Members of the Toronto Argonauts football team served 600 meals to Harbour Light residents and their families to celebrate Thanksgiving. This is the 12th consecutive year the players have partnered with the Army to help the needy. “A good time was had by all and many autographs were signed,” said Rob Hardy, community ministries director, Harbour Light Community Church. “If we are able to lessen the burden for just one family, our goal has been achieved”

Aboriginal Heritage VICTORIA—Major Lynn Grice, CO, welcomes Gwendolyn Point, wife of Lt.-Gov. Steven L. Point of British Columbia, as a guest at a recent Victoria Citadel Stitchers’ meeting.

With them is Nellie Thompson, leader of the Stitchers group, and Dorothy MacKenzie. Point shared her aboriginal heritage and demonstrated some of the native crafts that are a distinctive part of their history

100th Anniversary Celebration Yorkminster & Earlscourt Citadels

Homecoming Weekend May 1 & 2, 2010 Special Guests: Colonels Robert & Gwenyth Redhead Soloist—Jane Brill (UK) Gala Dinner & Festival—May 1, 2010 Sunday Worship—May 2, 2010 (advance purchase required for dinner)

www.yorkminstercitadel.org 416-222-9110

DEER LAKE, N.L.—Gertrude (Gertie) Cecelia Janes (nee Cross) was born in Deer Lake in 1938. She and Oliver, her husband of 53 years, raised eight children. Gertie was enrolled as a senior soldier in 1997. She faithfully attended weekly worship services and home league, and volunteered as a pastoral caregiver. She loved to cook for her family, provided contributions to the local food bank and sponsored a child overseas. During her long battle with cancer, she showed concern for others, giving witness to her faith.

Gertie is remembered by her husband, four sons, four daughters, 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Sechelt, B.C.—George James Halsey was born in Shaunavon, Sask., in 1926. Early in the 1940s, George moved with his parents and siblings to the Newton area of Surrey, B.C. The family established the Newton Corps and George eventually became the corps sergeant major. He also trained young people for brass banding in several Vancouver area corps. George served in the Canadian Army in 1944 and later owned his own trucking business.

In recent years, he and his wife were faithful soldiers of Cariboo Hill Temple in Burnaby, B.C. George is survived by his wife, Vi; daughters Elaine (Ray) Watkins, Kathy (Rick) Faulkner, Allyson (Ron) Paradis and their families; brother, Bob (Carole); and sister, Major Avril Halsey.

WHITBY, ONT.—Born in Caplin Cove, N.L., Captain Douglas Butt joined The Salvation Army in 1977. After serving in full-time ministry as envoys for two years and as aux-captains for five years, he and his wife, Nellie, were commissioned as officers of the Ambassadors for Christ Session in 1989. During their 18 years of service, they pastored churches in Napanee, Whitby, Welland, Cambridge (Hespeler) and Ajax, Ont. Doug is remembered for his strong gifts of preaching and teaching the Bible and leaves behind a legacy of unwavering faith. Doug is missed by his wife, Nellie; sons Don (Cheryl), Fred (Sharon) and Wayne (Kelly); daughter, Tammy (Jason); 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

WHITBY, ONT.—Dorothea (Dot) May Dunstan (nee Alderman), a Salvationist of strong faith, was born in 1920. She married Harold in 1944 at Danforth Citadel, Toronto, and in 1948 they moved to East Toronto Corps where she served as the songster leader for more than 25 years. Dot used music to express her love for the Lord and never hesitated to share her faith with everyone she met. Dot and Harold moved to Orillia, Ont., in 1979, where she worked at the Orillia Unwed Mothers’ Home as a bookkeeper. They enjoyed several winters in Clearwater, Florida.

From Orillia they moved to Niagara Falls, Ont., and then on to Whitby, attending Oshawa Temple. The family is grateful she is rejoicing in God’s presence, free of pain and suffering, and anticipate meeting her again one day. Dot is sadly missed by Harold, her husband of 64 years; two sons Stanley (Kath) and Ted (Joan); five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Salvationist I January 2010 I 29

MEDIA REVIEWS

Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership Ruth Haley Barton

REVIEW BY MAJOR KATHERINE DICKENS

H

ow do solitude and spiritual seeking improve the life and effectiveness of a leader? In Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Ruth Barton suggests that spiritual leadership begins by bravely facing our personal monsters. Though structured around the life of Moses, the book grew out of the author’s own experience of leadership burnout.

Her intent is to guide us to encounters with God that heal the hurts in our lives and replenish our souls.

Written for pastors and lay people in leadership roles, Barton helps to locate the “soul” of our leadership by challenging us to find God at the centre. This is done by exploring the relationship between our encounters with God in solitude and the call to public leadership. Our soul and leadership are interlinked—solitude with God refreshes and renews us for service.

Barton maintains that, like Moses, leaders will have desert experiences of feeling lonely and overwhelmed, and of coping with complainers. At some point, we realize that we are not truly hearing or communicating with God. When leadership becomes too onerous, we need to find time to be alone with God and learn to let go of our burdens. Just as times of solitude with God sustained Moses, they can rejuvenate us today.

Although we may be caught up in serving God, Barton notes that we can quickly lose intimacy with him and become spiritually depleted. Instead of leading from a false self—a contrived self-sufficiency—we can lead from a transformed self made possible only through regular encounters with God. The practical sections of each chapter provide exercises to enable the reader to richly experience the presence of God in quietness. The book, however, doesn’t provide pat answers for our struggles. It instead guides us to life-renewing meetings with God. Barton reminds us that we need to enjoy God for ourselves, instead of only helping others enjoy him.

Barton reminded me I need to daily connect with God and thus be empowered to lead from a spiritually renewed self. Then I can prayerfully bring others into God’s presence, releasing them and the burdens I encounter into God’s powerful hands.

30 I January 2010 I Salvationist

H2O: A Journey of Faith

by Kyle Idleman H2O is a 10-week experience designed to create a safe atmosphere where people are comfortable considering the person of Jesus Christ. It uses carefully crafted storytelling to reach a media-savvy generation. The package contains 10 episodes on three DVDs, and a leader training resource DVD with a recruiting and promotional video. Also included is Storm, a follow-up discipleship program. Storm’s 10 DVDs address questions about God, suffering and other key topics.

The Desert Road to Glory

Meditations on the prayers of Paul

by Clarence D. Wiseman This is the latest book in the Classic Salvationist Texts series to help a new generation of readers become familiar with the Army’s rich literary heritage. Eloquently written, The Desert Road to Glory reflects General Clarence D. Wiseman’s passion for growing in Christ, especially by immersing oneself in the prayers of Paul. He tackles questions such as, What does it mean to pray in the name of Jesus?, and, Does God always answer our prayers? General Wiseman was the 10th international leader of The Salvation Army. From his rich experience, he has bequeathed a devotional classic to Salvationists and others journeying on the desert road to Glory.

The Reason for Sports

A Christian Fanifesto

by Ted Kluck Ted Kluck has played professional indoor football, trained as a professional wrestler, served as a missionary and taught collegelevel courses. With humour and anecdotes, he offers provocative commentary on how fans can enjoy sports today with their strutting players, must-win attitudes and huge contract demands. He spotlights some colourful athletes, including Tom Brady, Dwight Howard, Alex Rodrigues and Mike Tyson. If you have ever wondered how a biblical and theological perspective can be applied to sports, you will find The Reason for Sports an enlightening read.

Regret-Free Living

Hope for past mistakes and freedom from unhealthy patterns

by Stephen Arterburn In Regret-Free Living, Christian counsellor Stephen Arterburn explores what it takes to build healthy relationships. Drawing on his own positive and negative experiences, he offers specific steps to rid ourselves of relationship regrets, and open ourselves to healing and restoration.

Above products available from Salvation Army Christian Book and Supply Centres or online at salvationarmy.ca/store

JARRING WORDS

An Emerging Identity

Jesus’ boyhood trips to the temple became opportunities for growth

BY MAJOR RAY HARRIS

I

t wasn’t the response his parents anticipated. Mary and Joseph had taken their 12-year-old son to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When it was over, they set out for their hometown of Nazareth, assuming that Jesus was in the company of other pilgrims. But he wasn’t.

When they finally caught up with Jesus, he was engaged in the give-and-take of dialogue with other teachers in Jerusalem’s temple. Exasperated, his parents asked, “Why have you treated us like this?

We have been looking all over for you.” His response caught them off guard: “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

(Luke 2:49 NRSV). Jesus’ words jarred his parents, jolted them into incomprehension.

Parents understand what it means to face this moment. It’s that occasion when their daughter’s emerging sense of identity comes into focus. It’s that day when their son differentiates himself from his parents and begins to stake out his individuality. It can be a difficult Jesus Sitting in the Midst of the Doctors, James Tissot, c. 1895 moment, a jarring moment.

While there are many factors that Luke observes, “Now every year his parcontribute to our identity, stories play an ents went to Jerusalem for the festival of important role. We understand who we the Passover. And when he was 12 years are in light of the stories of which we are a old, they went up as usual for the fespart. Recall the children’s fantasy, Peter Pan, tival” (2:41-42 NRSV). In other words, where Peter confides to Wendy: “I don’t each year his parents made the expected know any stories. None of the lost boys Jewish pilgrimage to Jerusalem in order know any stories.” Because of this, Peter to celebrate the Passover. They celebrated seems incapable of growing up, of knowing the story of God’s liberation of Israel from who he is. Philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre its bondage in Egypt. The temple would put it this way: “Deprive children of storhave introduced Jesus to the symbols of ies and you leave them unscripted, anxthis liberation. The pilgrims who jourious stutterers in their actions as in their neyed to Jerusalem from all parts of Israel words.” Identity is fashioned by the stories would have enabled Jesus to experience the that include us. greater community formed by that story.

Of the four Gospels in the New It’s intriguing, too, that Luke’s Gospel Testament, Luke is the only one to narconnects the celebrations of Passover with rate this episode in the life of Jesus. Yet the growth of Jesus. In fact, the whole epithis brief account (see Luke 2:40-52) helps sode is framed by the language of growth: us to understand the important ways in “The child grew and became strong…. which the identity of Jesus was shaped.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in

years, and in divine and human favour” (2:40, 52 NRSV). Jesus was included within the story of God’s saving actions, and he grew.

Thus his parents took him “as usual” to the larger celebrations of Israel’s story. Those celebrations helped Jesus to understand his identity. And that emerging sense of identity led him to his own sense of vocation.

When a new hockey player joins the Montreal Canadiens, he becomes part of a story. Photos of Jean Beliveau, Maurice “Rocket” Richard and Jacques Plante grace the walls of the Bell Centre, and banners of championship years hang from the rafters. These symbols remind the new player that he is part of a storied team. He is part of something greater than himself.

This identity will impact the way he plays the game.

My own boyhood was spent in the “steel city” of Hamilton, Ont. Its fierce football rivalry with Toronto helped to fashion my own sense of identity. However, whenever there was an important Salvation Army event in Toronto, my parents would drive their sons to that city for it.

As much as they valued our Hamiltonian expression of faith, they understood that joining with all Salvationists was important. Those celebrations contributed to my own sense of identity. The yellow and black blood of the Tiger-Cats still pulses through my veins, but the larger salvation story made its claim on my life.

How will we help our young people understand this story of God’s liberating actions today? This narrative centres on the person of Jesus of Nazareth. It’s the story of God who risks loving and trusting us. It’s an unfinished story. But it’s one that invites us to understand who we are, to grow within it and to serve from it.

Major Ray Harris is a retired Salvation Army officer. He enjoys watching Corner Gas reruns and running in Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Park.

Salvationist I January 2010 I 31

Our Mission

T

he Salvation Army is an international Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible; its ministry is motivated by love for God and the needs of humanity.

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Our Values Salvation We proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in all our ministries

One God One Army One Mission

Intimacy with God We commune with God through worship and prayer Compassion We embody God’s love, reaching out to others and caring for them Respect We promote the dignity of all persons Excellence We are innovative and effective Integrity We are honest and trustworthy, accountable to God and each other

Photo: The Salvation Army New Frontier

Are you living it?

Holiness We are shaped by the Bible and the example of Jesus through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit

Relevance We seek to understand and meet the needs of people in our communities Co-operation We encourage and foster teamwork and partnerships Celebration We are thankful to God for blessing The Salvation Army

For address changes or subscription information contact (416) 422-6112 or circulation@can.salvationarmy.org. Allow 4-6 weeks for changes.